Having worked with child victims of sexual abuse for more than 15 years, I have been asked to be a consultant or expert witness in many court cases, both civil and criminal. I have testified to provide information to courts about best practice in child/play therapy, the process of disclosure in child sexual abuse, why children may provide partial disclosures or recant previous disclosures, statistics about the likelihood of false allegations, the benefits of closed circuit tv testimony when children must testify in court, the appropriateness of disclosures in play therapy sessions, whether therapists are maintaining appropriate therapy standards, and myths and facts about healthy sexual development and healthy sexual behaviors in contrast to child sexual abuse.
As the mental health representative on the local multidisciplinary team for many years, I have worked closely with CPS investigators, law enforcement, District Attorney's office, Solicitor General, victim witness advocates, school social workers, therapists, and children's advocacy center (CAC) staff to ensure that child abuse victims received the services they needed, and to ensure that the judicial system had all the resources they needed to prosecute perpetrators of abuse. Because of my work as a child therapist and my work alongside law enforcement and prosecutors and defense attorneys, I am well versed in the complicated dynamics of child sexual abuse and understand the importance of prepping witnesses appropriately. I have testified in cases where I felt well-prepared by attorneys and felt I was able to share all the relevant information I had, and I have testified in cases where I knew I could have been a more effective witness if only I were asked questions that would allow me to provide more information. Now it's my mission to help others on legal teams to use their witnesses most effectively.
As the mental health representative on the local multidisciplinary team for many years, I have worked closely with CPS investigators, law enforcement, District Attorney's office, Solicitor General, victim witness advocates, school social workers, therapists, and children's advocacy center (CAC) staff to ensure that child abuse victims received the services they needed, and to ensure that the judicial system had all the resources they needed to prosecute perpetrators of abuse. Because of my work as a child therapist and my work alongside law enforcement and prosecutors and defense attorneys, I am well versed in the complicated dynamics of child sexual abuse and understand the importance of prepping witnesses appropriately. I have testified in cases where I felt well-prepared by attorneys and felt I was able to share all the relevant information I had, and I have testified in cases where I knew I could have been a more effective witness if only I were asked questions that would allow me to provide more information. Now it's my mission to help others on legal teams to use their witnesses most effectively.
Expert witness fees start at $150 per hour for documentation review, report writing, court prep, meetings and research, and a $1,000 retainer is required to engage in services. Court testimony begins at $1,000 per day. Before inquiring about expert witness or consultant services, please review the complete terms of the expert witness retainer agreement below.
A comprehensive list of 500+ hours of professional continuing education units (CEUs) completed is provided below. Please note that this link is updated regularly for my own CEU documentation and maintenance, but a formal CV will be provided including all current CEUs at the time of service engagement.
To inquire about expert witness or consultation services, please email theinherentparentcoach@gmail.com