Oral 04 | The critical contribution of clinical psychology to the family courts
Tracks
Track 9
| Saturday, May 16, 2020 |
| 1:30 PM - 3:10 PM |
Presenter(s)
Dr Denise McCartan
Denise Mccartan Psychologist Ltd
Oral 04 | The critical contribution of clinical psychology to the family courts
2:30 PM - 2:50 PMOutline
Professionals working in the Family Courts are tasked with trying to support people, instruct or request agencies to offer services, and mediate and/or make decisions in what are often highly contentious and conflictual situations. Clinical Psychologists as Expert Witnesses, can assess parental capacity, and ability/motivation to change and offer solutions to the Family Courts. A small number of case studies will be presented to communicate the critical contribution of Clinical Psychology to the Family Courts. The findings indicate that Clinical Psychologists, can and do, have a critical contribution to make in this complex arena, and that their influence, helps to guide legal professionals when dealing with highly vulnerable people or potentially unstable situations with people who are often in intractable positions.
Biography
After completing a PhD in Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology at Queens University Belfast, Dr McCartan was a Research Fellow in Forensic Mental Health at Kings College London. She completed a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry, Kings College London, before working as Paediatric Clinical Psychologist at the Belfast Royal Hospital for Sick Children with children with acquired brain injury, neurological and paediatric disorders. She contributed to the NICE guidelines on domestic violence and led the British Psychological Society response to the Home Office Consultation. She has published in peer reviewed journals in clinical neuropsychology, psychopharmacology and expert witness assessment in care proceedings. Dr McCartan appeared in an investigative documentary on BBC television and has spoken on the radio about parenting issues. Since 2008 she has worked in independent practice and written around 1100 Court reports.
