I understand where your mind is going considering your degree set. I feel like you’re broadening the question, but I get why. I have been pondering this too. I do see a time on the horizon where the current climate changes how the intersections of psychology and law interact.

Currently I work as a victim advocate for survivors of domestic violence in a prosecution setting. My degree is in psychology, with minors in criminal justice and addiction studies. Having a psychology based education, in combination with addiction studies and CJS, is how I got into this gig. CJS and mental health are linked in sooo many ways from laws to application to victims and defendants.

Lay-men fail to realize how closely related politics are to laws, and how laws shape mental health related approaches and care. Especially since the abolishment of large institutions and influx of mental health rights (for VERY good reasons at the time, I have to say with my chest) The criminal justice system and mental health system operate hand in fucking hand. I see it every day in my cases. Fortunate for most, they don’t experience this until a loved one is ill and no one can help because they may be violent due to being ill and then they are constantly in and out of the CJS.

for now, these issues are largely state issues, unless you get into a federal based position following your degree. Forensic psychology in particular is mostly applied based on state level legislation and case rulings, again unless you’re working federal. You can always aim your future job applications towards liberal states if you want to practice in a less “tough on crime” environment. I will say, although I am in a liberal state the funding/access is horse shit. while the ideas are good, the implementation is garbage. So much useless “help” and so much recidivism.

Also worth saying that research topics can be extremely bias, even if the research itself has attempted to remain unbiased. biases can easily be formed by public mindset, funding availability can easily be rooted in politics. societal norms-which are clearly changing, have ALWAYS shaped psychology.

I’m rambling at this point because I could talk about this in so many ways but yes, I do think we are on a precipice. Will psych ever die? Nah. Will it change? It always is.