Helping Families and Courts Make Clearer Decisions: What a Family Law Psychologist/Single Expert Witness Can Offer
When families are navigating the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA), the questions are often complex, the emotions high, and the stakes undeniably important. As a clinical psychologist with family-law expertise, my role is to provide independent, child-focused assessments that help the Court and parents understand what arrangements are most likely to support a child’s wellbeing and development.
I am a member of the Pacifica Congress, and work with parents, Independent Children’s Lawyers (ICLs), and legal representatives to deliver clear, evidence-based reports that translate psychological science into practical, court-useful recommendations—always with the child’s safety and best interests at the centre.
What I Provide
Child Impact Reports (CIR)
A Child Impact Report offers the Court an early, developmentally informed snapshot of the child’s needs, their relationships, and the family context. CIRs are especially useful early in proceedings or when the Court needs a succinct, child-centred overview to inform interim decisions.
Typical focus: what the child is experiencing now, how family dynamics may be affecting them, and immediate considerations for reducing risk and supporting adjustment.
Single Expert Reports (SER)
A Single Expert Report is a comprehensive, independent assessment that addresses the Court’s Terms of Reference. It usually involves interviews with parents and children (where appropriate), review of materials, and collateral information.
Typical focus: parental capacity, patterns of care, risk and protective factors (including family violence, mental health, substance use), quality of relationships, and how different care proposals may impact the child.
Specific Issues Assessments
Sometimes the Court needs targeted advice on a narrow question, such as:
Relocation proposals (domestic or international)
School choice and educational stability
Supervision needs or transition planning
Cultural and language considerations in parenting arrangements
Sibling placement and contact
These focused assessments provide brief, tightly reasoned opinions on the question at hand.
Mental Health Assessments (Family Law Context)
Where a parent’s mental health is raised as a relevant factor, a family-law-informed mental health assessment can clarify:
The presence of mental health conditions (using DSM-5 clinical frameworks)
Likely impacts on parenting capacity and co-parenting
Treatment engagement, stability, and protective supports
Practical recommendations to reduce risk and support safe, child-focused care
Note: I do not provide therapy to families I assess for Court, to preserve independence and avoid conflicts of interest.
How My Assessments Help
Child-centred, developmentally informed: Recommendations reflect what supports a child’s safety, stability, relationships, and healthy development now and as needs change over time.
Trauma-informed and culturally responsive: I consider migration history, language, and cultural parenting norms. I am bilingual in English and Mandarin, which can assist with culturally nuanced contexts.
Clear, court-ready reasoning: Opinions are linked explicitly to data—observations, collateral information, clinical interview content, and accepted psychological frameworks—so the Court can follow how conclusions are reached.
Practical recommendations: Wherever appropriate, I propose workable, stepwise options that balance risk mitigation with the child’s need for predictable routines and meaningful relationships.
Who Engages Me
Lawyers/ICLs seeking independent expert opinion to clarify complex issues or to assist with interim or final orders
Parents (via lawyers or by consent orders) who want a neutral, child-focused assessment to help progress matters constructively
The Court, where an order appoints me as the Single Expert
I am independent to the parties and the Court once appointed. My duty is to the Court.
Service Area
I am based in Sydney CBD and conduct assessments in person and, where suitable, via secure telehealth for interstate matters. Interviews can be scheduled to accommodate school and work commitments where possible. I am also available for interstate travel, subject to a travelling fee.
Next Steps & Enquiries About Rates
If you’re a lawyer, ICL, or parent considering an independent assessment for Court, I’m happy to discuss the scope and suitability of:
Child Impact Reports
Single Expert Reports
Mental Health Assessments (family-law context)
Specific Issues Assessments
Please email me at heather@thepsychologyalley.com for a brief discussion of your matter and to request current rates.
