Expert Assessment
I provide expert assessment and reports for:
- Family Court
- Federal Magistrate’s Court
- Magistrate’s Court
- Children’s Court
- Tribunals
My areas of expertise include the assessment of:
- complex family dynamics in separating families with specific child focus
- child protection concerns (domestic violence, physical and sexual abuse)
- risk assessment in domestic violence matters
- articulation of relationship dynamics and behaviours resulting from traumatic life experiences
Expertise in Assessment of Child Experience in Family Separation
I provide assessment reports and oral evidence on behalf of children to the court. My skills allow me to assess parental regulatory function and provide appropriate feedback to parents about their children’s needs. In making such recommendations I draw on and incorporate extensive knowledge of:
- Child cognitive developmental theory
- Individual child and adult psychodynamics
- Typologies of family violence
- Impact of violence on children
- Impact of alcohol and other drug use by adults on children
- Impact of adult mental health issues on children
Expertise in Domestic Violence
I have extensive practical experience working with domestic violence in families over 40 years. I currently provide:
- Counselling for women, men, children and young people who are victims of domestic violence;
- Family assessments and expert reports for Family Court, Federal Magistrate’s Court, Supreme Court, Children’s Court and Magistrate’s Court;
- Written papers and workshops nationally and internationally on the dynamics of violence, dilemmas of interface with the legal system and options for intervention and treatment;
- Workshops and training to peers, other professionals and workers (Community Organisations, AASW, Children’s Commission, other professional groups)
Expertise in Child Sexual Abuse
I have over 30 years experience in working with people affected by sexual abuse. My work includes:
Counselling for:
- adolescents and children who have been sexually abused
- adults who have been sexually abused
- victims of rape
Expert Assessment:
- Provision of family assessments and expert reports for Family Court, Federal Magistrate’s Court, Supreme Court and Children’s Court.