Medico-Legal Psychological Assessments & Court Reports
Links Psychology provides independent psychological assessment as well as treatment services for forensic and legal matters. Mr. Harvey Abbott has a Masters Degree in Psychology awarded at Swinburne University and is a registered psychologist and a member of the Australian Psychological Society with a keen interest in forensic matters. Harvey has a good understanding of the court processes, procedures and the relevant Victorian legislation. He has significant experience in writing reports for the courts including pre-sentencing reports and reports for the Court Diversion Program. Mr. Abbott has an ongoing commitment to the provision of psychological services to forensic client groups, which are likely to achieve the best possible rehabilitative outcome for the client, while satisfying the requirements for social justice. In particular, the early identification and appropriate interventions for individual at risk of ongoing offending (such as youth and individuals with mental illness) is an area of particular interest. He also has a specific interest in providing general risk assessments and specific sexual and violence risk assessment. Harvey can also provide expert opinion and court reports on forensic psychological matters. Harvey maintains his clinical and forensic expertise through ongoing inter-disciplinary professional development.
Reports
A Medico-legal Psychological report is a detailed report that can assist with legal cases, compensation claims and disputes. Reports can be provided to meet the protocols of Workcover, workplace applications, TAC, Victims of Crime Referral and Assistance Tribunal, Medicare and the Legal system. Reports can address specific concerns that you may have and generally include:
- History
- Presenting problems
- Factors contributing to presenting problems such as:
- Coping style
- Unhelpful thoughts
- The appropriateness of current treatment(s)
- Responses of significant others
- Any perceived barriers to recovery and/or return to work
- Impression and diagnosis according to criteria outlined in DSM-IV, and
- Recommendations.
Cost of Medico-legal reports
The Psychologist will conduct an interview and assessment typically over 3 - 5 consultations, each session is one hour in duration and cost $170 per session. During these sessions the Psychologist will conduct a face-to-face interview, administer several specific psychometric questionnaires and finally review any related documents and correspondence. It is not possible to conduct all of these sessions over Telehealth.
A comprehensive report is subsequently written, this will often take 6-8 hours to complete depending on the complexity. The Medico Legal reports are charged at an hourly rate (plus GST). The whole process is usually conducted over 4-6 weeks. If the matter requires a shorter time frame please let us know as alternative options may be discussed.