Purpose, Service, Impact: A Look Inside the Kane County Diagnostic Center

Most people don’t know that the Kane County Court System has its own psychology department. The Kane County Diagnostic Center (KCDC) is a team of forensic psychologists who work directly with the 16th Judicial Circuit. Everything they do is ordered by a judge to help the court understand the people coming through the system. "When we get a case file, they're not case files to us. They're human beings," says Director and Chief Psychologist Dr. Alexandra Tsang. "They're people who are struggling. We look at what is going on with them and what their history is to identify barriers and needs."

KCDC, one of the only court-embedded diagnostic centers of its kind, and established in 1975, recently reached a major goal by earning accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA). Dr. Tsang calls this the "gold standard" for the field. It took seven years of hard work to meet these national standards, but it means the center is now at the highest level for training and clinical work. This helps KCDC attract top-tier doctoral interns who often stay on as full-time staff after they graduate.

While the work is part of the legal system, it is focused on helping people improve their lives. "The primary goal is not to see you again in the criminal justice system," Dr. Tsang explains. "What resources can we provide these clients to make sure they live productive lives?" Many people seen at the center have histories of trauma or addiction that have never been addressed. By identifying these issues, the KCDC can recommend specific treatments to the judge, like EMDR for trauma, to help someone get back on track. Dr. Tsang notes that sometimes getting arrested is actually the first time someone gets the mental health resources they have needed for years.

Because these services are so specialized, other nearby counties have started asking for help. To meet this need, KCDC plans to expand regionally. They are expanding their internship program, and increasing their physical space so they can provide evaluations for neighboring communities that don't have these resources. Dr. Tsang reflects her hopes and dreams for the future of KCDC, "are that as we grow and expand, we will touch even more lives than we have already." 

Anyone who interacts with the center or wants to learn more can visit the new website at https://diagnosticcenter.kanecountyil.gov/. The KCDC team wants the public to know they are here to serve. "When I walk through these doors every single day, I feel the weight of the responsibility," Dr. Tsang says. "I feel the responsibility to serve our clients because ultimately it is about the clients... and that is not something I take lightly."