Can a lawyer tell you what to write?

The immediate response is 'of course not', but it is not quite as simple as that.

Expert witnesses have a primary duty to the court to give their opinion independently and impartially. So the lawyers cannot ask you to change the content of your report. However, the lawyers have the duty to make sure that the form of the report is correct - the right questions are answered, wording that can be unintentionally influencing the court is not used, etc. My general rule of thumb is this: I will not change the content of my report, which is my findings and my opinion. I am happy to change the form of the report, e.g. answer specific questions, remove some statements (e.g. replace 'two charges of cannabis use' to 'one charge' if the other was dropped), or change words that have different legal meaning than I intended. In my experience the lawyers have been incredibly fastidious in keeping to these rules as well, so it has not been a problem.

I have come across a good little article on this topic through Experts Direct. It can be found on http://www.expertsdirect.com.au/can-lawyers-change-expert-witness-reports/ .

cheers,

Izabela

Neuropsychologist in Alice Springs

Dr Carmel Lum has moved to central Australia. Here are her new contact details:

Dr Carmel Lum

c/- SSSS

Central Australian Aboriginal Service

14 Leichhardt Terrace

Alice Springs 0870

email: clumwork@gmail.com

A fascinating place to live and work.

cheers,

Izabela

How not to go to court and how to enjoy it if you do - moved to November

Just to let everybody know that my workshop has been moved to the 19th of November.

details still available on:
http://learn.pearsonacademy.com.au/au/courses/146-psychologists-in-court

It'll be nice and convenient for those needing a chance to get some PD points at the last moment.

cheers,
Izabela

A plug for my upcoming talk on court appearances

This is a quick post to let you know about my half-day workshop on How not to go to court and how to enjoy it when you do. It is on the 10th of September in Melbourne, with full details and registration available from: http://learn.pearsonacademy.com.au/au/courses/146-psychologists-in-court .

I'll be talking about why I enjoy my occasional court appearances and share some advice and attitudes that make court both an infrequent experience and a positive one. There will be a bit of practice in dealing with cross questioning, with chocolate rewards for the brave.

cheers,
Izabela
PS: If you have any questions, please e-mail me on iwalters@lawandbrain.com

An invitation to a new peer consultation group in Melbourne

MELBOURNE NEUROPSYCHOLOGY PEER CONSULTATION GROUP

Neuropsychologists based all around Melbourne are encouraged to attend this newly formed peer consultation group. All neuropsychologists are welcome regardless of geographic location or specialty. Neuropsychologists who do not have access to peer consultation through their workplace are particularly encouraged to join (e.g. those in private practice, those new to the profession, those not currently working in a clinical role).

The key priorities of the group are to provide:

a) an open case conference opportunity;

b) a neutral space to discuss work related issues (e.g. ethical concerns, non-client issues);

c) an opportunity to discuss new tools and to share resources;

d) a networking opportunity.

Bedrija and I suggest that the group should meet regularly every 6-8 weeks from 6:30 to 7:30 on a weeknight at an agreed upon location. However, we will also encourage members to meet in smaller groups of 2 or 3 for more regular peer supervision with others located nearer to them. We intend the content and structure to be group driven and are open to suggestions/recommendations for improvement.

NEXT GROUP MEETING: 6:30 - 7:30 Thursday 4 July, Richmond (exact location TBA).

TO REGISTER INTEREST: Contact Laura Scott on laura_scott@live.com.au with basic contact details including your location (to assist with planning meeting places down the track).

Private Practitioners - Victoria

Finally, a list of private practitioners in Victoria.  With thanks to Georgina Lowndes who pointed out to me that this list did not get published yet. Here it is.


Diverge Consulting
clinicians:

Jenny Todd

Samantha Burns

Jan Loewy

Suzanne Brown

Kathryn Hoskin

Genevieve McMahon

PO Box 777

North Melbourne 3051

9329 4330

www.info@diverge.org.au

Specialise in:
behaviour management
community management
brain injury in adults


Associate Professor Warrick Brewer
Ph: 0412 109 330
w.brewer@neuropsych.com.au

Specialises in;
neuropsychotherapy from adolescents to adults
Capacity assessments
Medico-legal assessments
Personality development and neurodevelopment disorders


Louise Vernieux
Ph: 0409 190 774
louise@mindsinmotion.com.au
Po Box 39
Elwood 3184

Specialises in:
medicolegal and forensic assessments
older adults
dementia assessments
VCAT
fitness to work
Autism/ Aspergers


Nola Ross
0413 096 511
naross@bigpond.com
practices in the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne

Specialises in:
medicolegal assessments
paediatric/adolescent/young adult assessments
learning difficulties, developmental disorders, autism spectrum disorders


Evrim March
PO Box 1311
Carlton 3053
0421 083 687
evrimmarch@hotmail.com

Specialises in:
medico-legal assessments
mental health
substance use
adults and older adults
competency and VCAT assessments


Carlo Zino
Victorian Neuropsychology Rehabilitation Services
Ph: 0410 500 763
carlo@vnrs.com.au
Carlo has rooms in Kew,
travels to Bendigo, Shepparton and Echuca regions

Specialises in:
Traumatic Brain Injury / Acquired Brain Injury
Behaviour management
Neuropsychological counselling
Neuropsychological assessment


Clare Dickson
practises in North East Victoria and NSW/Victoria border area
clare1dickson@gmail.com
Ph: 0438 278 629

Specialises in:
Brain Injury
Geriatric population
Neurology referrals for children and adults


Dr Rani Jacobs
McKinnon
Ph: 0407 110 074
ranikanderson@optusnet.com.au

Specialises in:
children and adolescents
developmental issues
acquired brain injury
psychoeducation
counselling


Dr Georgia Lowndes
Melbourne
Ph: 0404 846 435
georgia@soundmindandmemory.com.au

Specialises in:
geriatrics
medico-legal assessments
capacity assessments


Izabela Walters
107 Droop Street
Footscray 3011
ph: 0407 866 579
iwalters@lawandbrain.com

Specialises in:
Medico-legal assessments
Forensic assessments
adults, elderly and an occasional adolescent

Neuropsychologists in private practice - NSW

Here is a list of neuropsychologists in private practice in NSW. As usual, more would be better, so please send in your details for inclusion.

Zoë Thayer
Sydney Neuropsychology Services
zoet@ich.usyd.edu.au
0404 305 560
(02) 9515 7837

Clients:

• Brain injury
• Geriatric populations
• Assessments for the Defence forces
• D.V.A. assessments
• Memory rehabilitation

Clare Dickson
NSW/Victoria Border region
clare1dickson@gmail.com
0438 278 629

Clients:

• Brain Injury
• Geriatric populations
• Neurology referrals 
• Children and Adults

Dr Mark Sabaz
0411 291 375
msabaz@brainassessment.com.au
PO Box 13
Erskinevelle NSW 2043

Clients:

• TBI
• medico-legal
• lifetime care + support (NSW)
• Demential assessments in intellectual disability population

Wayne Reid
Sydney
0417 217 065
wyjreid@bigpond.com.au

Clients:

• Adults and Children - neuropsychology assessments
• Forensic
• Geriatrics
• Medico-legal

Corinne Roberts
Sydney based, but available for rural consults
0409 429 113
cbtcentre@bigpond.com

Clients:

• Adult, Geriatric clinical neuropsychology including capacity
• Medicolegal
• Forensic
• Counselling re. rehab, adjustment, problem-solving

Ilana Hepner
0412 550 277
ihepner@internode.on.net

Clients:

• Adults and geriatric
• medicolegal, forensic and clinical neuropsychology

cheers,
Izabela