Dr. Pablo Pagán-Rivera, Psy.D. is a bilingual English- and Spanish-speaking Licensed Clinical Psychologist with active licensure in California and Illinois and authorization to practice interjurisdictional telepsychology through PSYPACT. His expertise includes forensic psychology, psychological assessment, and independent medical opinions involving workers’ compensation and disability claims.
Dr. Pagán-Rivera earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in Puerto Rico. He subsequently earned his Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) degrees in Clinical Psychology from Carlos Albizu University in Puerto Rico, graduating in 2020 With Highest Distinction at the doctoral level. Throughout his graduate training, he received extensive training in psychological assessment and evaluation. He completed an APPIC predoctoral internship in clinical forensic psychology at the Illinois Department of Human Services Treatment and Detention Facility, where he conducted psychological evaluations to inform treatment within a specialized sex offender program.
His professional experience includes leadership in correctional mental health services within the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC), Women’s Division, where he oversaw departmental mental health services. He served as a supervising psychologist, overseeing psychological assessment and treatment services, including civil commitment evaluations. He subsequently provided professional and clinical consultation, drawing on his experience in forensic assessment, correctional mental health, and clinical oversight.
Dr. Pagán-Rivera has worked in private practice settings conducting psychological testing, assessments, and diagnostic evaluations. His independent medical opinion experience includes workers’ compensation and veterans’ disability claims. Since 2023, he has also served as a Compensation and Pension (C&P) examiner through multiple organizations, conducting psychological examinations used by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in disability determinations. These evaluations address mental health conditions associated with military service, including direct and secondary service connection and aggravation.
Dr. Pagán-Rivera’s approach emphasizes objectivity, evidence-based clinical reasoning, thorough documentation, and careful consideration of the evidence relevant to each case. His experience working with diverse populations informs a culturally sensitive approach that recognizes how cultural context and sociocultural factors may influence symptom presentation, clinical history, and psychological assessment findings. He is committed to providing impartial, well-supported evaluations that assist attorneys, claims professionals, and individuals navigating workers’ compensation and disability matters.