Dr. Deanna Dwenger

Designing Systems That Heal, Not Harm.

I’m Dr. Deanna Dwenger — a clinical and correctional psychologist who has spent more than a decade working inside prisons, behavioral health systems, and high-acuity environments.

I've sat with people in crisis. I've led statewide behavioral health systems. I've written policies, testified in courtrooms and before legislators. I've helped design environments intended to improve safety, rehabilitation, and wellbeing.

Now I help organizations, legal teams, and leaders build systems that work better for the people inside them.

Because behavior does not happen in a vacuum. It is shaped by people, policy, operations, and the environments we create.

Built from real correctional experience — designed for real-world impact.

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Dr. Deanna Dwenger
Professional Overview

Clinical expertise. Executive realities.

Bridging the gap between frontline behavioral health realities and top-tier organizational strategy to create lasting impact.

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  • Former statewide Executive Director of Behavioral Health for Indiana Department of Correction
  • Former Director of Behavioral Health for private, for-profit medical vendor hired by the state of Indiana DOC
  • Clinical psychologist with forensic specialization
  • Worked directly inside prisons, behavioral health systems, and crisis environments
  • Policy writer, expert witness, speaker, and advisor
  • Chief Behavioral Health Advisor at Elevatus Architecture helping shape environments that support safety and healing
Dr. Deanna Dwenger Consulting
About Me

From the Frontlines to System-Level Impact

I started my career as a prison psychologist in the most acute setting, just as I had hoped to. I sat face-to-face with people experiencing severe mental illness, trauma, addiction, grief, and crisis, all while at the intersection of the criminal justice system.

Over time, I moved into leadership roles where I oversaw behavioral health systems across all Indiana correctional facilities, wrote statewide policies, testified before legislators, and helped guide system-level change.

Then a very unexpected “other duties as assigned” project happened: I was asked to help design the new Westville Correctional Facility, currently under construction in Northwest, Indiana. Together with the architects and IDOC we created something truly unique. We created a state of the art behavioral health unit, and a first of its kind, substance use treatment unit.

I realized that walls, light, noise, and the environment were shaping behavior as much as any therapy or policy I was writing. And, I did not want to stop.

In 2025, I joined Elevatus Architecture as Chief Behavioral Health Advisor, where I bridge psychology and design to create environments that promote healing, safety, and human dignity. My work focuses on infusing behavioral health principles into the built environment across justice, healthcare, and educational settings.

At Unlocked Consulting I continue my passion for reform by helping organizations create systems and environments that support meaningful change.

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How I Can Help

Systems & Behavioral Health Consulting
01

Consulting

  • Behavioral health programming
  • Correctional operations
  • Staff wellbeing
  • Rehabilitation strategies
  • Trauma-informed environments
  • Policy and system design

Who this is for:

Sheriffs, Wardens, Prisons, State Correction Institutions, Judges, System Level Thinkers

Consulting
02

Speaking & Training

Evidence-based presentations that are practical, engaging, and rooted in real experience.

  • Designing Systems That Heal, Not Harm
  • Stop Expecting Mental Health to Fix It
  • Mental Health in Rural Jails
  • Trauma-Informed Design
  • Staff Wellness & Burnout

Who this is for:

Conferences, Association Meetings, Retreats, and Internal Training Events.

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03

Expert Review & Legal Consultation

Independent review and expert guidance involving:

  • Suicide prevention
  • Conditions of confinement
  • Mental health treatment
  • Restrictive housing
  • Case Reviews
  • Client Interviews

Who this is for:

Legal Teams, Attorneys, and Systems Under Review.

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Core Philosophy

Things I Believe

Short and memorable

Mental health cannot fix broken systems alone.

Safety and dignity can coexist.

Environment influences behavior.

Staff wellness matters.

Rehabilitation should be intentional.

Good design changes outcomes.

Begin with a Free Consultation Call
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Free Consultation Call

Select a time directly below to discuss your institutional challenges. No pitch, no pressure.

Schedule a Time

Access Dr. Dwenger's availability directly via Microsoft Bookings to find a time that works for your team.

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Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you provide expert witness services?
Yes. Dr. Dwenger provides expert witness services, leveraging her extensive clinical and administrative experience in forensic psychology and behavioral health within complex environments.
Do you travel?
Yes. Dr. Dwenger supports organizations nationally and frequently travels for on-site consulting engagements, keynote speaking, and executive workshops.
Can trainings be customized?
Yes. All trainings and advisory services are tailored to meet the specific operational, cultural, and leadership needs of your organization to ensure maximum relevance and impact.
What organizations do you work with?

Dr. Dwenger works across a variety of sectors, commonly partnering with:

  • Sheriffs
  • Correctional leaders
  • Behavioral health teams
  • Architects and designers
  • Healthcare organizations
  • Community organizations