​Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
1001 Queen Street West, Unit 3
Toronto, Ontario M6J 1H4
(416) 535-8501 ext. 2937
sandy_simpson@camh.net

Dr. Simpson is currently Associate Professor and Head, Law and Mental Health Program in the Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, and Clinical Director and Person-in-Charge, Law and Mental Health Program, at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Areas of Research
Dr. Simpson holds an international reputation for his progressive approach to forensic mental health. Dr. Simpson, prior to coming to CAMH, served as the Clinical Director and Director of Area Mental Health Services of the Auckland Regional Forensic Psychiatry Service and in Auckland, New Zealand. He was Honorary Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

The published outcomes from the Auckland service are among the best in the field. Among his key accomplishments is his leadership in developing the community and inpatient forensic models into a comprehensive model of service, using both recovery-based and culture-based forensic mental health services. He has played a leading role in developing culture-specific inpatient treatment services for Maori, and in developing an intellectual disability offender service. He has extensive experience providing advice to government agencies on policy and has worked closely with the judiciary in training for judges, including to the New Zealand Supreme Court and Court of Appeal Judges.

Dr. Simpson has a broad teaching experience including post-graduate university teaching in Forensic Psychiatry and specialist training for the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

His publications cover topics ranging from the clinical assessment, prevention and management of violence risk in forensic populations, to the future shape of prison mental health services.  Dr. Simpson’s area of research has focused on the epidemiology of mental disorder in New Zealand prisons with the development of screening methods and the review of assessment of violence guidelines and development of a staff training toolkit.