Mental Health clinicians are frequently called upon to make assessments for the Family Court. Often issues regarding parental responsibility or custody arrangements hinge upon the assessments of care giver mental health and the resources required to ensure mental health maintenance.

This paper will use a case vignette approach to illustrate the need for longitudinal assessment and case formulation over more traditional cross sectional approaches. recomendations for both clinician training and further research will be made by the presenters;

Dr. Mitchell Byrne is an endorsed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist with over 25 years experience. His research profile includes adherence to treatment, secondary traumatic stress, risk assessment and, more recently, the assessment of parenting skills.

Ms. Cinzia Gagliardi is an endorsed Clinical and Forensic Psychologist and Director of Gagliardi, Byrne and Associates, a Forensic Assessment and Treatment service. Ms. Gaglairdi is NSW State Chair of the Australian Psychological Society and is frequently called upon to provide expert evidence in the Family Court.

The 12th International Mental Health Conference 2011 
Radisson Resort, Gold Coast - Wednesday 24th August – Friday 26th August 2011.