In addition to therapeutic work, Dr Kat Aguilera provides independent expert witness assessments for adults and adolescents.
These assessments offer clear, evidence-based evaluation of psychological functioning for legal proceedings, including family court, civil psychological injury claims, and employment tribunals, or for investigation and clarification of mental health issues. Each assessment is conducted impartially, drawing on clinical expertise to deliver a balanced and reliable professional opinion.
Chartered Counselling Psychologist & Expert Witness
As a Chartered Counselling Psychologist specialising in trauma, I have particular expertise in military, policing, and frontline populations. I provide independent psychological assessments for legal, insurance, and occupational health cases, and have delivered expert witness reports for family court, civil psychological injury claims, and employment tribunals for over five years.
My expertise spans work with adults, adolescents, and families, with a focus on trauma, PTSD, complex trauma, and emotional and relational difficulties. My experience within public sector services (including NHS mental health teams and specialist trauma pathways) has enabled me to work with a wide range of psychological presentations and develop a strong grounding in evidence-based assessment and formulation.
I am HCPC registered, and my work is guided by professional values across clinical, counselling, and forensic psychology practice: clear communication, impartiality, and a commitment to high-quality, ethically robust assessment.
Types of Expert Witness Assessments
All of my psychological assessments are tailored to the specific requirements of legal, employment, and civil contexts. Each assessment is carried out with impartiality, clinical accuracy, and a clear focus on the questions posed by instructing parties. Below are the key areas in which I offer expert witness evaluations:
Employment Tribunals Assessments
I provide expert psychological assessments to support workplace tribunal cases involving stress, discrimination, bullying, harassment, and fitness to work. My reports offer clear, evidence-based insights into mental health, capacity, and the psychological impact of workplace environments or incidents.
Family Law Witness Assessments
My family law assessments focus on parenting capacity, attachment, trauma, domestic abuse, and a child’s emotional and psychological needs. I offer balanced, impartial evaluations to assist courts and legal teams in making informed decisions that prioritise the welfare and wellbeing of children and families.
Civil Psychological Injury Claims
I conduct specialist assessments for civil psychological injury claims, including evaluations of trauma, PTSD, workplace-related psychological injuries, and other distressing experiences. My reports provide objective, clinically grounded opinions to support fair outcomes within insurance, occupational, and civil litigation contexts.
Clear, Structured, and Reliable Assessment Process
Every assessment I complete follows a transparent and robust process to ensure accuracy, fairness, and clarity for all parties involved. This includes a detailed review of referral questions, structured clinical interviews, psychometric testing where appropriate, and a comprehensive analysis of psychological functioning in the context of the legal issues being considered.
All reports are clear, evidence-based, and focused on answering the key legal questions. Strong communication is maintained throughout with solicitors and agencies, with reports containing impartial, well-reasoned conclusions that support informed decision-making.
Enquire About Expert Witness Assessments
If you’d like to discuss a potential instruction, clarify the type of assessment you need, or check my availability, please get in touch to arrange an initial conversation.
Expert Witness Assessments FAQs
What types of cases do you typically accept?
I provide expert psychological assessments primarily for family, civil, and employment law cases, including parenting capacity assessments, cognitive and mental health evaluations, trauma-related assessments, and risk assessments for court proceedings.
How is the assessment process structured?
Once instructions and case documents are received, I arrange interviews, administer any relevant psychometric measures, and then prepare a comprehensive report addressing each of the questions outlined in the letter of instruction. Timescales are confirmed at the point of instruction.
What is your turnaround time for reports?
Report timelines vary depending on complexity, but I will always provide a clear estimated completion date when accepting the instruction. Urgent assessments may be accommodated where possible.
Do you offer remote assessments?
Yes, I carry out interviews and certain psychometric assessments remotely when appropriate. This is particularly helpful for geographically dispersed clients or time-sensitive cases.
What information should be provided prior to assessment?
A complete letter of instruction and all relevant case documents are required before the assessment begins. This ensures the evaluation directly addresses the court’s questions and is fully informed by the available evidence.
How do you ensure impartiality?
All assessments are completed independently and objectively. As a chartered counselling psychologist, my role is to provide the court with a balanced, evidence-based opinion, grounded in clinical expertise and supported by psychological theory and assessment data.