Kim Gorgens

Kim A. Gorgens

Professor

  • Faculty

What I do

Teaching, research, advocacy, media

Specialization(s)

TBI, brain, concussion, neuropsychology, rehabilitation psychology, injury, disability identity, domestic violence, health psychology, assessment, cognition, criminal justice, psychopathy

Professional Biography

Dr. Kim Gorgens is a full-time Professor in the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at the University of Denver. She teaches Psychophysiology, Clinical Neuropsychology, and Psychology of Criminal Behavior, manages a portfolio of TBI-related research, and has lectured extensively on those issues (including a 2010 TED talk on youth sports concussion, a 2018 TED talk on brain injuries in jail, several NPR spots and an interview on CNN with Anderson Cooper). She completed a postdoctoral fellowship in Clinical Neuropsychology and is board certified in Rehabilitation Psychology. She is a fellow of the American Psychological Association's Division 22, Rehabilitation Psychology.In addition to her work with medical patients in various settings, she also engages in advocacy and leadership around disability and TBI awareness and previously served as the Chair of Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund, President of the Colorado Neuropsychological Society and Chair of the American Psychology Association Committee on Disability Issues in Psychology. She is currently serving on the board of the American Board of Rehabilitation Psychology as Vice President and is a former elected Council Representative for the American Psychological Association.

In her role on the Colorado Brain Injury Legislative Collaborative, Dr. Gorgens was involved in drafting and supporting the 2011 concussion law for the State of Colorado (Senate Bill 40 – The Jake Snakenberg Youth Concussion Act).Dr. Gorgens is also passionate about education and women's leadership (as an LIWP and HERS alumna). She previously served on the leadership board of the Center for Workforce Education and Employment. She also engages in community education and outreach in areas of disability awareness, biopsychosocial models and criminality--her lectures are featured in venues around the country.

As the Director of Continuing Education (CE) and Professional Development at the Graduate School of Professional Psychology, Kim has secured accreditation for the University of Denver to be a recognized provider of CE to mental health professionals. As the founding Executive Director of the Center for Professional Development, she built interdisciplinary continuing education and non-academic professional development across four graduate programs at the University of Denver including the Graduate School of Professional Psychology, Graduate School of Social Work, Morgridge College of Education and University College and also the Colorado Womens' College. Her commitment to lifelong learning and novel educational strategies has established the Center as a national leader in workshop, conference, classroom and distance education. See www.du.edu/professional

Degree(s)

  • Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, Southern Illinois University, 1998
  • MA, Clinical Psychology, Southern Illinois University, 1994
  • BA, Psychology, Roger Williams University, 1992

Licensure / Accreditations

  • National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology
  • ABPP
  • Licensed Clinical Psychologist
  • Adult CPR/AED

Professional Affiliations

  • American Psychological Association
  • Society for Neuroscience
  • American Red Cross, Disaster Mental Health Services
  • Colorado Neuropsychological Society
  • National Academy of Neuropsychology
  • National Speaker Association

Research

Dr. Gorgens manages a large portfolio of traumatic brain injury (TBI) related research and has lectured extensively on those issues (including her 2010 TED talk on youth sports concussion, a 2018 TED talk on brain injuries in criminal justice, several NPR spots and an interview on CNN with Anderson Cooper). Her work has been featured in USNews, Newsweek, Salon.com and more.

Areas of Research

TBI
brain
concussion
neuropsychology
rehabilitation psychology
injury
health psychology
assessment
cognition
criminal justice
athletes

Key Projects

  • Colorado Tramatic Brain Injury State Implementation Partnership Grant Program

Featured Publications

Gorgens, K. A., & Goodwin, E. (2019). Can you cure a psychopath?. In J. M. Naylor-Tincknell & C. Patrick (Eds.), Critical thinking and writing in psychology. Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt.
Gorgens, K. A. (2019). Teach them to fish: Addressing the sexual health needs of patients and practice culture.

Presentations

Gorgens, K. A. (2019). Roll up your sleeves: Strategies for the management of TBI-related sequelae in behavioral health settings. Alaska Brain Injury Network annual conference. anchorage, AK: Alaska Brain Injury Network.
Gorgens, K. A. (2019). Roll up your sleeves: Strategies for the management of TBI-related sequelae in criminal justice . Montana Crime Prevention Conference. Billings, MT.
Gorgens, K. A. (2019). Looking Forward: Long-term Perspectives on Risk-Reduction and Research. Brain Injury Association of Maryland. Baltimore, MD: BIAMD.
Gorgens, K. A. (2019). "Updates from Concussion Biomarker Study of NCAA Championship Athletes". Brain Injury Association of Maryland. Baltimore, MD: BIAMD.
Gorgens, K. A. (2018). Looking forward: Long-term perspectives on recovery, risk-Reduction, and research. National Association of State Head Injury Administrators. Des Moines, IA.
Gorgens, K. A. (2020). Plenary Address - ILLINOIS BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION. ILLINOIS BRAIN INJURY ASSOCIATION.
Gorgens, K. A., Brown, K., Mona, L., & Andrews, E. (2019). Being a Citizen Rehabilitation Psychologist: Advocating for Women and Disabilities*. Division 22 Annual Conference. Orlando, FL: APA Division 22.

Awards

  • APA Presidential Citation, American Psychological Association