Medico-legal and Court-ordered reports
Several our clinical psychologists, Dr Janina Szyndler, Michelle Tanious, Elizabeth Bryon and Poppy Rourke, have extensive experience of assessing parents and children and writing reports. We can prepare reports particularly relating to parenting matters, family law, and allegations of abuse We can provide specialist reports in relation to adults, children, and young people with developmental disabilities, and autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, or other special needs.
We also undertake assessments of parents’ mental health, adaptive functioning/cognitive ability, and other factors that impact their parenting when these are requested in family law, child protection proceedings or, by DCJ.
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
Dr Szyndler can provide Single Expert, Family and Child Impact Reports which are ordered through the Court. Parents and children (and sometimes grandparents or new partners) may need to have a report to assist the Court in working out where the children should live and how they spend time with the parent that they do not live with. Referrals should come through the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia or via lawyers representing individuals.
Children’s Court
In the Children’s Court parents or caregivers, and children may need to be assessed regarding possible allegations of physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, or neglect of children. Referrals should come through the NSW Children’s Court Clinic, Community Services, or occasionally from legal representatives of the parties involved.
Download Dr Janina Szyndler’s CV
Section 14 Court report
A section 14 report, in New South Wales (NSW), refers to a psychological report supporting defendants with mental health or cognitive impairments to be diverted from criminal conviction to a mandatory treatment plan, avoiding a criminal record. Poppy Rourke, forensic psychologist and clinical psychology registrar has extensive expertise of working in the criminal justice system and can complete these reports.
Staff at Apex Psychology are also able to complete reports in relation to Criminal Court, Guardianship issues, and Immigration.
If you require a report for any legal matters, the formal request should come through your solicitor. Once they contact us, we can establish whether we can provide a report and agree on the fees. The fees for reports vary.