based in Austin, TX
Expert Witness & Forensic Counseling Services for Family Law and Custody Cases
Helping courts, attorneys, and families navigate high-conflict dynamics, parental alienation, and child-centered resolution.
Forensic & Expert Witness Services
Emily provides expert consultation, review, and testimony in cases involving:
Parental Alienation and Parent–Child Contact Problems
Assessing patterns of resistance or refusal, identifying alienating behaviors, and differentiating alienation from justified estrangement.High-Conflict Custody Litigation
Reviewing case materials, psychological evaluations, and parenting plans to inform best-interest determinations and provide expert analysis.Child Development and Attachment in Family Law Contexts
Offering evidence-based insights on children’s developmental needs, bonding, and the psychological effects of conflict and separation.Ethical and Clinical Standards for Mental Health Professionals
Evaluating whether interventions or evaluations meet accepted standards of care, and clarifying the role of counseling professionals in forensic settings.Reunification and Court-Ordered Therapy Consultation
Advising on therapeutic interventions following findings of alienation, estrangement, or disrupted attachment between a child and parent.
When to Involve an Expert Witness
You may benefit from retaining a mental-health expert when:
The standard of care for a therapist, evaluator, or counselor is in question
The child resists contact with a parent without clear justification
Alienation, estrangement, or coaching is suspected
The case involves relocation disputes, parenting plan design, or high conflict
You require testimony or a professional opinion about child development, mental health, or parental behavior patterns
Services for Attorneys & Legal Professionals
Emily collaborates with attorneys across Texas and beyond to bring a clinically informed, forensic lens to complex custody cases.
Legal professionals engage Emily for:
Expert review of reports, evaluations, or custody recommendations
Assistance preparing clients for custody evaluations or testimony
Development of trial strategy and cross-examination questions for mental health experts
Neutral, research-based testimony on parental alienation, child resistance, or high-conflict family systems
Emily’s goal is to provide clear, cogent, and ethically sound input that supports the trier of fact in understanding the psychological and relational factors at play
Ethical & Professional Standards
Emily adheres to the ethical frameworks of both clinical and forensic practice:
Objectivity and impartiality in expert witness roles
Clear boundaries between treatment and evaluation
Commitment to the “best interest of the child” principle
Transparent communication with attorneys and the court
Testimony grounded in peer-reviewed research and established professional guidelines
She remains current on literature related to forensic psychology, attachment, and family systems—including guidelines from the American Psychological Association.
Understanding Parental Alienation
Parental alienation occurs when a child’s rejection or hostility toward one parent cannot be explained by that parent’s actual behavior, but rather results from manipulation, negative influence, or loyalty conflicts created by the other parent.
Left unaddressed, alienation can lead to:
Distorted or rigid beliefs about one parent
Anxiety, depression, or identity disturbance in children
Long-term relational and trust issues in adulthood
Expert evaluation helps courts and families distinguish between alienation (influence) and estrangement (justified rejection due to mistreatment), ensuring interventions are appropriate and effective.
Emily’s expertise allows her to identify these distinctions through careful review of documentation, interviews, and behavioral patterns—grounding her opinions in psychological theory and empirical evidence.
