The Menendez Brothers: A Psychological Perspective on Crime
By Dr. Wendy Smith | When the abuser is a parent, the devastation multiplies. PSYCHOLOGY TODAY (Dr. Wendy Smith) – August 19, 2025 KEY POINTS The less-than-fully developed executive functions of teenagers play a part in juvenile crime. The motivation for violent juvenile crime, especially within the family, is complex and interpersonal. Early occurring child […]
The Hidden Damage of Family Separation
By Dr. Wendy Smith | Broken family attachments have a long half-life. PSYCHOLOGY TODAY (Dr. Wendy Smith) – September 15, 2025 KEY POINTS Early attachment relationship(s) ensure protection and provide the context for future development. Sudden and prolonged separation from the primary attachment figure constitutes a trauma for children. Family separation can lead to a […]
The Link Between Adverse Childhood Experiences and Crime
By Dr. Wendy Smith | Governor Newsom knows what I know about adverse childhood experiences and crime. PSYCHOLOGY TODAY (Dr. Wendy Smith) – September 4, 2025 KEY POINTS Governor Gavin Newsom recently granted clemency to four youthful offenders serving life sentences. Juvenile offenders have high rates of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). ACEs can negatively affect […]
Denied Parole: What Happens to the Menendez Brothers Now?
By Dr. Wendy Smith | The first parole hearing is a critical juncture. What happens next? PSYCHOLOGY TODAY (Dr. Wendy Smith) – August 26, 2025 KEY POINTS There’s a psychological difference between being a “lifer” and being eligible for parole. Problematic behavior in prison and level of insight are critical factors considered in parole decisions. […]
The Kim Pagano Show – August 23, 2025
Hosted by Kim Pagano The Kim Pagano Show Podcast (with guest Dr. Wendy Smith) – August 23, 2025 Wendy Smith, Ph.D., LCSW, is a retired clinical professor of social work and associate dean of curriculum development and assessment at the University of Southern California Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work. Dr. Smith’s latest book will […]
Are the Menendez Brothers Ready for Parole?
By Dr. Wendy Smith | The Menendez brothers were resentenced and are now eligible for parole. PSYCHOLOGY TODAY (Dr. Wendy Smith) – August 19, 2025 KEY POINTS Suitability for parole for juvenile offenders rests on age and circumstances at the time of the crime. Facing the trauma of childhood abuse is a necessary part of […]
The Chris Voss Show Podcast – Before Their Crimes: What We’re Misunderstanding about Childhood Trauma, Youth Crime, and the Path to Healing by Wendy Smith
By Chris Voss The Chris Voss Show Podcast (with Dr. Wendy Smith) – August 12, 2025 Juvenile crime doesn’t just happen-there is always a story behind it. Before Their Crimes: What We’re Misunderstanding about Childhood Trauma, Youth Crime, and the Path to Healing is a ground-breaking book that sheds new light on the relationship of […]
The Good Radio Network Podcast with Frankie Picasso – Before They Were Criminals – Children Who Commit Violent Crimes
Hosted by Frankie Picasso The Good Radio Network Podcast – Before They Were Criminals – Children Who Commit Violent Crimes (with guest Dr. Wendy Smith) – July 13, 2025 Frankie Picasso and her guest, Dr. Smith, a renowned expert in child and adolescent development and the author of Before Their Crimes: What We’re Misunderstanding About […]
Do the Menendez Brothers Deserve Re-sentencing?
By Dr. Wendy Smith | This article explains why advances in understanding of childhood trauma and brain development, as well as changes in sentencing for people who commit crimes as teens, support a resentencing hearing for Lyle and Eric Menendez IMPAAKT (Dr. Wendy Smith) – May 8, 2025 I was a practicing psychotherapist in Los […]
Does Stress Make Us Stronger?
By Dr. Wendy Smith | This article describes the three levels of stress that affect us all, and how our built-in emergency response system reacts when we feel a threat. It explains how stress can compromise our health and how it can promote growth. IMPAAKT (Hitesh Dhamani) – March 18, 2025 Stress is a concept […]