Patrick Higgins is a forensic mental health clinician with over a decade of experience conducting assessments and providing clinical opinions in criminal, immigration, and administrative contexts. He is a Registered Clinical Social Worker regulated by the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and is authorized to perform psychosocial interventions within his scope of practice.

Patrick brings extensive expertise in forensic assessment, clinical formulation, and risk evaluation across correctional, psychiatric, and community-based settings. His work routinely involves the application of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria, validated risk assessment approaches, and the integration of collateral, historical, and clinical information to support clear and defensible opinions.

He has completed forensic assessments in both in-custody and outpatient environments and has submitted reports for use in criminal proceedings, immigration matters, administrative hearings, and treatment planning. His reports are written for legal and administrative decision-makers and are grounded in evidence-based methodology, clinical judgment, and an understanding of the justice system.

Prior to establishing Five Point Forensics, Patrick practiced within a maximum-security inpatient forensic psychiatric hospital and later within a provincial correctional centre as part of the Rocky Mountain Sexual Offender Treatment Program. In these roles, he conducted forensic and clinical assessments, authored reports for the Alberta Review Board, developed treatment and triage frameworks, and contributed to program development and service delivery.

Patrick continues to practice within the public health care system as part of the Provincial Rocky Mountain Sexual Offender Treatment Program, where he is involved in the assessment and treatment of justice-involved individuals.

Patrick has also served as Co-Chair of the Alberta Health Services Addictions and Mental Health Ethics Committee and has presented at forensic mental health conferences on topics including reintegration barriers in justice-involved populations.

In addition to his forensic practice, Patrick provides therapeutic services through Alberta Health Services and private practice. His clinical work draws on training and experience in dialectical behaviour therapy, EMDR, trauma-informed care, and other evidence-based approaches. He has assessed and treated individuals presenting with personality disorders, trauma- and stress-related disorders, mood and psychotic disorders, paraphilic disorders, and substance-related conditions.

Across all settings, Patrick’s work is guided by principles of clarity, neutrality, evidence-based practice, and respect for the shared human experience. His assessments integrate research-supported tools, structured clinical judgment, and contextual understanding, offering decision-makers balanced, objective, and defensible information.