Reliable – Thorough – Solid
I have served professionally in courtrooms for more than 25 years. In my early days as a therapist preparing children for court at the National Children’s Advocacy Center in Huntsville Alabama, we encouraged the kids to crawl under the benches in the courtroom, sit in the judge’s seat, and bang the gavel. We empowered them to “belong” in that setting so they could most strongly advocate for themselves on court day.
Today I give expert testimony in courtrooms around the country, providing the results of comprehensive research and analysis of cases involving both children and adults. Being the best advocate and expert witness means being prepared and feeling confident. I “crawl under the benches” by completing thorough and thoughtful evaluations and I work hand in hand with the legal teams, both prosecution and defense, to be prepared on the stand. Through knowledge of cutting-edge research and practice, I educate the court on complex mental health issues. Using a developmental and trauma lens, I specifically focus on the years of early brain development and the negative effects of toxic stress and disrupted attachment on that process.
Services
- Expert Witness
- Record Review and Consultation
- Capital Mitigation Evaluation
- Attachment/Bonding Evaluation
- Parental Capacity Evaluation
- Child Custody Issues
- Trauma and Dissociation Evaluation
- General Psychological Evaluation
Expert Witness Experience
- Complex Mental Health Issues
- Maltreatment Trauma (child abuse and neglect)
- Dissociation
- Attachment/Bonding
- Effects of Toxic Stress on the Developing Brain
- Child Welfare System
- Foster Care
- Adoption