The experience of a psychologist expert witness: From starting out to building a career

This paper was developed to provide some informed advice about establishing and maintaining an independent psychology practice. It emphasises the area of expert witness work with the courts, including assessments, treatment, report preparation and expert witness testimony. It describes potential benefits and pitfalls associated with taking such a career decision, providing advice around the need for professional protection, establishing a practice identity, contending with the unique legal and funding challenges that come with this work, as well as actual guidance about court reporting. The article concludes with a discussion about developing a stable and robust practice that will weather legal and social changes which can impact on maintaining security, as well as exploring internal practice issues that can enable a consistently responsive approach to dealing with new hurdles that may arise.