She received her Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Applied Developmental Psychology from the University of New Orleans, with specialisations in developmental psychopathology and forensic psychology. She completed a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) postdoctoral fellowship at the University of California, Irvine, with a focus on legal and policy issues. She also completed clinical-forensic postdoctoral residences with the Institute for Behavioral Sciences and the Law in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the University of South Florida’s Department of Pediatrics, Division of Child Development. She holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Mental Health Law and Policy at the University of South Florida’s Louis de la Parte Florida Mental Health Institute in Tampa, Florida, where she was awarded the 2013 Outstanding Faculty Award. Associate Professor Kimonis is a Fulbright Scholar.