Holding Both Truths: Jamie Hidalgo on Forensic Psychology, Recovery, and Meaningful Change

For Jamie Hidalgo (MA ’12), the path to forensic psychology did not begin with a clear plan—it began with curiosity, opportunity, and what she describes simply as “catching the bug.”

“I thought that I wanted to be a high school psychology teacher,” she recalls. As an undergraduate double majoring in history and psychology, her trajectory shifted when she accepted an internship at a counseling practice focused on domestic violence and substance use treatment. Observing group therapy sessions with individuals navigating intimate partner violence and addiction, Jamie found herself drawn into the complexity of clinical work. “It totally changed the trajectory of what I decided I wanted to do.” 

That experience led her to pursue the Master’s in Forensic Psychology at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology (GSPP)—a decision rooted in her desire to engage directly in clinical work. “I really wanted to do the clinical work,” she says. The program’s emphasis on applied training allowed her to begin working with clients early while moving toward licensure.

Reflecting on her time at GSPP, Jamie emphasizes the lasting influence of faculty mentorship and clinical training. She describes learning not only technical skills, but also the deeper work of self-awareness. Faculty challenged her to examine her biases while developing her clinical identity. “They helped me grow, see things from a different perspective… really start working on what it meant to be a good therapist and a good clinician.” 

Today, Jamie has come full circle—returning to GSPP as an adjunct faculty member, where she teaches substance abuse and an undergraduate course on the criminal mind. In the classroom, she brings real-world experience into her teaching, modeling the applied learning that shaped her own education. “There’s something really helpful about hearing someone else’s experiences… trying to imagine what you might do in those situations.” 

Her message to students is clear: technical knowledge alone is not enough. “If you’re going to be really good clinically… you really have to know yourself,” she explains.  She encourages students to embrace feedback, reflect on their communication styles, and examine their internal responses—skills essential in high-intensity clinical work.

Jamie’s career exemplifies the impact that can be achieved at the master’s level. Now serving as President and Clinical Director of Correctional Psychology Associates (CPA), she leads a practice providing evidence-based, research-informed services for individuals involved in the criminal-legal system. Her path to leadership was not linear; she began in nonprofit work with families involved in the Department of Human Services before returning to forensic practice. 

“I knew that I could do one-to-one direct clinical work with people at the master’s level,” she says.  That clarity allowed her to focus on clinical practice rather than pursuing a doctorate. Her advice to students is grounded in fit and passion: “You have to like what you’re doing… it is hard work.” 

At CPA, Jamie and her colleagues work with individuals navigating substance use, criminal behavior, and reintegration into the community. Their approach integrates evaluation, treatment, and collaboration with supervising agencies, while maintaining a strong therapeutic alliance. Central to this work is the understanding that change is complex and deeply individualized.

As Jamie explains, “if you’re going to understand a human being, you have to understand all parts of a human being,” a perspective she began developing during her time at GSPP.  She likens therapy to narrative—seeing each client as their own story, shaped by unique histories and lived experiences. Even within a research-informed framework, she emphasizes that no two individuals are the same. “You’re also sitting with somebody who’s unique… and you have to marry those two concepts in a way where you can show up for folks.” 

One of the most persistent misconceptions she addresses—especially during Alcohol Awareness Month—is the belief that substance use alone causes criminal behavior. “One of the biggest mythologies… is that substances make people commit crimes,” she explains.  While substance use is strongly correlated with criminal activity, it does not create behaviors or beliefs in isolation. “Sobriety by itself won’t change some of those other things.” 

Instead, her work focuses on identifying and addressing underlying patterns—“criminogenic needs”—including belief systems, decision-making, and social influences. Recovery, in this context, is not simply about abstinence, but about reshaping the factors that contribute to harmful behavior.

This understanding is grounded in years of clinical experience. Jamie recalls working with families affected by substance use and witnessing the painful disconnect between intention and behavior. In one conversation, a mother with a long history of alcohol use disorder shared: “People look at me and ask, don’t you love your child enough? I do—I just don’t know why I can’t stop.” 

Experiences like these shaped Jamie’s philosophy—one grounded in empathy, accountability, and nuance. She recognizes that individuals often face overlapping challenges, including trauma and systemic barriers. “Getting better is not always the same as feeling better,” she notes. 

In forensic settings, this complexity is amplified by the need to balance individual care with public safety. Jamie describes this as “holding both truths at the same time”—building a therapeutic relationship while assessing risk and progress.  Transparency and honesty are essential, as is the ability to deliver difficult feedback.

Her leadership role adds another layer. While deeply committed to clinical work, she acknowledges the challenge of balancing therapy, administration, teaching, and family life. “There is a constant push-pull for me,” she says.  Still, she views leadership as service: “How do you support the people that are doing the hard work?” 

Sustaining this work requires intentional care and connection. Jamie emphasizes professional support, peer consultation, and self-reflection. She also highlights the importance of knowing yourself outside the work—what “fills your bucket” and when that needs to shift. For her, that has looked different over time: hiking, reading, even gardening. What matters is stepping outside the work to remember that life is bigger than what’s happening in session. Those grounding moments, she says, are reminders of “how small I am in the universe… and that the world exists outside of my office.” 

For students and emerging clinicians, Jamie offers both encouragement and realism. This work means meeting people in some of the most difficult moments of their lives—and they are “not always going to show up as their best selves,” she says, which makes empathy and compassion essential. 

Ultimately, Jamie’s work is grounded in a belief in human complexity—and the possibility of change. While not everyone chooses that path, she remains committed to creating the conditions for transformation. “I don’t fix my clients… they do that themselves.” 

Through her clinical practice, teaching, and leadership, Jamie continues to shape the next generation of clinicians while advancing a more nuanced understanding of recovery, accountability, and care.