Villanova Nursing’s Dr. Linda Copel named forensic fellow

Villanova, PA, September 21, 2007 — Villanova University College of Nursing Associate Professor Linda Carman Copel, Ph.D., APRN,BC, DAPA in May 2007 was awarded the designation of fellow of the American College of Forensic Examiners Institute (ACFEI). The ACFEI recognizes experience, education, and expertise of individuals engaged in forensic examinations and multi-disciplinary training in their respective fields. Dr. Copel was nominated because of her work with women, who may or may not have disabilities, who experience intimate partner violence.

Dr. Copel’s research interests encompass women's health issues, mental health issues, family strengths and hearing impairment. As a psychotherapist, she provides counseling to individuals, couples and families. She has extensive experience providing counseling to women, especially those affected by family violence. Dr. Copel has recently studied abuse of women with physical disabilities and examined how nurses were helpful to this population. She also researched the educational needs of nurses regarding partner abuse among their patients.

Dr. Copel is nationally certified as a clinical specialist in adult psychiatric nursing, a group psychotherapist, a family life educator and a bereavement counselor. She was named a diplomat in Psychotherapy by the American Psychotherapy Association and a diplomat in Disability by the American Board of Disability Analysts.

The ACFEI is an international association, developed to bring together professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide a reliable, credible forum for ethical and professional standards for forensics. It is comprised of forensic professionals actively engaged in the fields of medicine, nursing, psychology, dentistry, toxicology, criminology, accident reconstruction, crime scene reconstruction, engineering, accounting, and other disciplines.