Expert Witness Services
With over two decades of specialized experience in trauma psychology and interpersonal violence, I provide expert witness services focused on clarifying trauma-related concepts for courts and juries.
My work centers on explaining how trauma can affect memory, perception, behavior, and disclosure, particularly in cases involving interpersonal violence and responses that may appear confusing or counterintuitive. I translate established psychological and neurobiological research into clear, accessible language that helps fact-finders distinguish scientific evidence from common assumptions about how individuals are expected to respond to traumatic events.
Areas of Expertise
I provide consultation and expert testimony in civil, criminal, and administrative matters involving:
Neurobiology and psychophysiology of trauma
Acute survival responses and behavior during traumatic events
Counterintuitive responses to sexual assault and interpersonal violence
Continued contact or relationships with an alleged offender following victimization
Grooming, coercion, power, and relationship dynamics
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and trauma-related conditions
Trauma-related memory, including encoding, storage, retrieval, and recall
Developmental considerations in adolescent and young adult survivors
Common myths and assumptions about interpersonal violence and survivor behavior
Factors that may shape perceptions of credibility, including trauma-related behavior and disclosure patterns
The influence of gender, sexual orientation, culture, prior experiences, and interpersonal context on trauma responses and disclosure
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Educational Expert Testimony
I provide objective, research-based testimony to help courts and juries understand trauma and responses to interpersonal violence. Testimony may address trauma neurobiology, memory and recall, survival responses, disclosure patterns, grooming and coercion, and behaviors that may appear counterintuitive.
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Case Consultation
I consult with attorneys to identify and understand trauma-related issues relevant to a case, evaluate how scientific research applies to those issues, and distinguish well-supported trauma concepts from common misconceptions. Consultation can also help clarify the appropriate scope and limitations of trauma-related expert testimony.
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Written Opinions & Case Review
When appropriate to the engagement, I provide written analysis and research-based opinions addressing trauma-related concepts and relevant scientific literature. Each review is tailored to the questions presented, with conclusions clearly defined and grounded in established research, professional expertise, and the available evidence.
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Education & Training
I provide specialized training for legal, investigative, clinical, advocacy, and multidisciplinary audiences. Topics include trauma, interpersonal violence, memory, survivor response, and trauma-informed practice, with an emphasis on scientific accuracy, practical application, and recognizing assumptions that may contribute to misunderstanding or bias.
Qualifications
Licensed Psychologist with more than two decades of specialized experience in trauma, interpersonal violence, and survivor response
Founding Director of the University of California, Irvine CARE office, where I led campus-wide response, advocacy, prevention, and education related to sexual violence, relationship violence, and stalking for 17 years
Extensive experience working directly with survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, abuse, and other forms of interpersonal trauma
National presenter and trainer on trauma, memory, survivor response, trauma-informed practice, and interpersonal violence
Experience providing expert testimony and consultation in criminal matters involving trauma, memory, disclosure, and behaviors commonly perceived as counterintuitive
Extensive experience educating attorneys, investigators, clinicians, advocates, and multidisciplinary professionals about trauma and interpersonal violence
A full curriculum vitae is available upon request.
For questions regarding consultation, expert testimony, or availability for an upcoming matter, please contact me with a brief description of the case, anticipated scope of testimony, jurisdiction, and relevant deadlines.