Forensic Psychology
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Our Forensic Psychologist and Counsellors apply psychological theory and skills to the understanding and functioning of the legal and criminal justice system. They work in criminal, civil and family legal contexts and provide services for perpetrators, victims and justice personnel. Forensic Psychology encompasses issues such as: the causes, prevention and treatment of criminal behaviour; the Courts and the correctional system; and the contributions of psychological evidence to legal proceedings. Undertaking psychological assessments and writing of Medico-Legal reports is a process that requires experience and skill.
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Our specialist Forensic Psychologist has a broad forensic & clinical background, excellent assessment skills, superior communication skills and extensive experience in completing psychological evaluations in legal settings and is trained in writing reports for forensic and legal purposes, and are regularly involved in the delivery of forensic psychological services to legal firms, Courts, Government Departments and Tribunals.
Evaluation, Assessment and Report Preparation
ABetter_Life Resource Forensic Psychological evaluation and consulting services are designed to assist in determining decisions regarding family, civil, tribunal or criminal matters, and provide a detailed, situation-specific assessment strategy which goes beyond the typical psychological evaluation completed for clinical purposes. Following an extensive psychological investigation and assessment processes, our reports can include, but not limited to:
- Full case history, noting background, details of interviews, meetings, investigations and research
- Results and discussion of appropriate psychological assessments undertaken
- Summaries and conclusions relating directly to the legal issues of the case, and reflecting standard psychological practice
- Explanation of the relationship between psychological factors and the legal issues
- Review of evidence and reports provided by other experts and/or treatment providers, and discussion of any problems identified with their methods and/or conclusion
- Research supporting the conclusions
- Practical recommendations offered without professional psychological ‘jargon’, understanding that implementation of recommendations must be possible a) within the legal system, and b) through services available in the community.
Forensic Psychologists can provide testimony as expert witnesses in cases as diverse as assessment for trauma of victims-of-crime to the assessment of risk of re-offending. The diversity includes issues such as competence to stand trial, criminal responsibility, assessing risk and dangerousness, post-accident impairment, capacity to work, degree of mental retardation, the insanity defence, operation of memory, causation of death as a result of mental state, custodial & access arrangements and effects of discrimination.
Services
Criminal Court
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Civil Court
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In Civil Court cases, our Psychologists & Counsellors can assist with counselling to individuals for the following problems:
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Family Court
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Counselling services offered to families referred by the court include:
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