Mitigation Specialist, Forensic Psychologist, Counselor
Dr. Colin King is an expert in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), and the intersection of TBI and addiction. He is a fully licensed clinical psychologist who has been helping patients and families for many years. He earned his PhD from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. He’s also a highly experienced Clinical and Forensic Psychologist with more than 25 years of experience.
Smith: Thank you Dr. King for taking the time to speak with me regarding how you see God using individuals in their specialty to bring them into a light that was once dark and hopeless. First, tell us something about your insights and journey to becoming a Forensic Psychologist?
Dr. King: Well, I always wanted to help people in some way. I was brought up in a Christian home and my parents were Guyanese, from South America. So, when I heard the story of David and Saul, [I learned] David was called to heal Saul who had a troubled mind. So Saul called on David to play his harp. That was music therapy (which is very important even now). So, I was fascinated with the mind and the brain, how it functioned and the many though patterns.
Smith: So it sounds like you had a calling or gift?
King: God gave all of us gifts, we just have to find it or sometimes we have mentors that illuminate our paths. I was fortunate to have some extremely great mentors along the way.
Smith: What is the compelling motivation or your “why” in what you do?
King: That’s a good question. Well, I am a forensic Psychologist and when I bring my expert analysis into the courtroom, I believe it’s to bring comfort and closure to family members who have lost a loved one due to a criminal [act]. So, I truly believe that God is using me to bring light into a dark place that could not only assist the grieving family member but also the perpetrator as well. Everyone needs assistance sometimes and I am glad that God has chosen me for such a time as this.
Smith: I know you don’t just deal with the civil cases, but these cases are usually high-profile cases.
King: Sad to say Dan, that is true. I have been on Court TV many times on many high-profile cases to give my professional testimony on various cases in the news.
Smith: How do you reconcile your faith and your responsibility in convicting individuals in the court room?
King: Like I mentioned before, my duty as a therapist and mitigation specialist is to bring resolution. So, when truth is illuminated, then everyone can move in a path to healing. Whatever that is for the individual or family member.
Smith: I understand that your specialty is also dealing with traumatic brain injury. Tell our readers a little about that and how do you find the brain so fascinating in your practice?
King: Well, I had the privilege of visiting a lab in California, where I actually held a brain to examine it. The brain is not that large of an organ; I held it in my hand, and its weight is about an average 3-4 pounds. But don’t let the size fool you. This magnificent computer that can fit in the palm of your hand and comprises 100 billion neurons with trillions of connections. More connections than the stars in the universe. It consumes about 20% of calories that we consume. It sits in a very tight box called the skull that has very sharp ridges, so it is very susceptible to injury. The brain gets its food from blood flow, from our hearts, the heart pumps blood to the brain. So, whatever you put into the body the brain will also consume it as well, in some form or fashion.
Smith: So, any type of drugs and food can affect the brain?
King: Yes, it is very hard to find a normal overall brain. We all may have some type of Traumatic Brain Injury on some level, even myself. Just because of the intake of different substances that we are exposed to. If you put poison in your body (drugs, alcohol). It goes into your blood stream then it goes into your brain. One who is sleep deprived and if you’re not exercising on a regular basis, you are also causing damage to your brain.
Smith: Wow. So, what can any of us do or those who are experiencing higher scales of TBI?
King: There are things that we can do to combat some small-scale TBI. Exercising and vigorous activity are so important for brain recovery and neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is a process where the brain’s remarkable ability to reorganize its physical structure and functional connections throughout life. I have witnessed how people have had TBI, but through this process have gained and regained skills that were once thought lost. God has equipped us with a remarkable ability to heal and adapt.
Smith: Is there anything that you want to leave with our readers of message?
King: Yes, God can use broken people to still inspire and fulfill His purpose. God gave us all a purpose in this life. Seek Him and a therapist and you will be on a path to being whole. Mentally, physically, and spiritually. Also, the brain is one of the most precious gifts from God to each one of us.
(Dr. King can be found on Court TV at any given time).
