The role of Psychologists as Expert Witnesses in Family Proceedings
- An expert Psychologist may be instructed in the Family Courts when their expertise is necessary to make decisions in the case
- A Psychologist can provide individual and collective psychological profiles of different family members
- They can undertake comprehensive assessments that include developmental, psychological and social issues of complex situations through the application of psychological formulation
- Skills offered by Psychologists include; mental capacity of children and adults, mental competence, parenting, capacity for change, mental health, behavioural and emotional functioning, intelligence, neuropsychological functioning including memory, attention, executive functioning; veracity of disclosure, personality type, forensic risk, substance misuse, learning needs, psychological impact of disability, sensory impairment of ill health, psychological impact of trauma and/or abuse, neuro developmental condition, e.g. Autistic Spectrum Disorder, attachment and interpersonal relationships, capacity for change, and personal, developmental and therapeutic needs
- A Psychological Assessment may also take into account socio-economic deprivation, separation and divorce, disputed immigration/asylum status, social isolation, child protection, homelessness, criminality, domestic violence and varied cultural, religious and ethnic backgrounds
- Although assessment techniques will vary between Psychologists, an assessment will usually include a combination of evidence based psychometric tests, in depth interviewing, observations and a review of other professionals records such as social care, education, medical and forensic records
- Information gathered from various sources over time contribute to the process of triangulation which is essential for psychological formulation
- Although most assessments will usually be carried out directly, indirect assessment which relies on documentation or video evidence may also be appropriate
