Social Work Expert Witnesses
Social work expert witnesses and consultants listed here may be able to form expert opinions, draft expert witness reports, provide expert witness testimony at deposition and/or trial as or serve as consulting (non-testifying) experts on social work. The social work expert witness listings on this page are typically from fields/areas of expertise such as: Child Abuse, Emergency Medicine, Mental Health, Nurse, Social Work, and Substance Abuse.
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Nicol Stolar-Peterson, PsyD, LCSW, BCD
www.nicolstolar.com
Social Work, Child Abuse
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Child Protective Services, Department of Children and Family Services, Investigations, Standard of Care, Removal, Exigency, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse, Neglect, Child Death, Child Fatality, Child Welfare
Child Abuse/Child Welfare Expert national practice. Completed over 1000 child abuse investigations and interviews, 100’s of removals, 100’s of foster care and adoptive placements. 11 years of field experience working in child protective services as a child abuse investigator, interviewer, trainer, foster care/adoption social worker (2003-2015). Licensed clinical social worker in California since 2009. Trained over 1000 social workers in child abuse investigation and current standards and duties. National trainer on mandated reporting.
Focus Areas Include;
Child Welfare Expert
Child Abuse Investigations
Clinical Social Worker
Expert Witness
Child Fatality Investigations
CPS /DCFS Expertise
Consultation
Psychotherapy
Crisis Counseling
Forensic Interviewer
Case Management
Community Outreach
Group Therapy
Record/Case Review
Structured Decision-Making Tools
Testimony
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Nicole E McCarthy, MSW, LCSW, PMH-C
Experienced Therapist & Mental Health Expert.
Social Work, Mental Health
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Mental Health, Intensive Outpatient Programs, Forensic Social Work, Adult Depression/Anxiety, Case Management, Standard of Care, Discharge Planning, Postpartum Depression, PTSD, Perinatal Mental Health, Domestic Violence, Work Place Sexual Harassment, Suicide Prevention, Institutional Abuse
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) expert in mental health, psychiatric issues and women's health. I have a masters degree in social work from the University of Southern California and licensed in the state of California with the Board of Behavioral Sciences. I have experience and expertise with residential treatment centers, psychiatric hospitals, domestic violence shelters and outpatient mental health clinics. I was a leader for the Intensive Outpatient Program in an outpatient clinic. Supervised other therapist’s and coordinated treatment teams for patient care. I have collaborated with psychiatrists, primary care physicians, OBGYN's, medical social workers, RN's and nursing teams. I addition, I am a member of Postpartum Support International and helped create the positive motherhood transition program specializing and treating moms who struggle with postpartum depression/ anxiety. I have expertise with pregnancy loss, infertility and perinatal issues.
I am also a member ...
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Sarah Burney, LCSW, CEDS-S
Eating Disorder, PTSD, & Standard of Care Expert
Burney Therapy Group
Newport Beach, California
Mental Health, Substance Abuse
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eating disorder, trauma, PTSD, anorexia, bulimia, obsessive compulsive disorder, OCD, substance abuse, substance use, overdose, treatment, social work, cognitive behavioral therapy, family based treatment, addiction, anxiety, depression, suicide, EMDR, psychology
Sarah Burney, LCSW, CEDS-S, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist & Supervisor with over a decade of clinical and leadership experience. She provides expert witness services in cases involving eating disorders, psychiatric standard of care, trauma, and complex mental health conditions.
Her areas of expertise include:
Eating disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, ARFID)
Psychiatric standard of care and negligence
Acute and complex trauma (including PTSD)
Substance use disorders
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
Depressive and anxiety disorders
Level of care determinations (inpatient, residential, PHP, IOP, outpatient)
Risk assessment and clinical decision-making
Ms. Burney has extensive experience treating patients across the full continuum of care, including inpatient and outpatient treatment settings for eating disorders, mental health, and substance use disorders. She previously served as a Director at one of ...
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Patrick Ngo, MSW, LCSW
Inpatient Psychiatric Hospital Social Worker
Patrick Ngo Psychotherapy Inc.
Santa Clara, California
Mental Health, Social Work
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Social Work, Triage, Lanterman Petris Short LPS, Involuntary Committment, Suicide, Crisis Intervention, Risk Assessment, Behavioral Health, Patient Rights, Standard of Care, Severe Mental Illness (SMI), Psychosis, Schizophrenia, Bipolar, Anosognosia, Emergency Care, Joint Commission (JHACO), HEDIS, CMS, EMTALA
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive experience working in outpatient and acute inpatient psychiatric settings. I have treated a broad spectrum of complex psychiatric conditions including depression, anxiety, post‑traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, and co‑occurring substance‑use disorders.
I have over a decade of experience working in acute inpatient psychiatric hospitals serving patients experiencing mental health crises. Many patients I worked with were admitted to the hospital on 72 hour involuntary psychiatric holds (5150). There, I provided direct care, safety planning, complex discharge coordination, and testified at involuntary (5250, 5260, 5270) certification hearings. I regularly represented the hospital at these hearings, testifying on the clinical criteria for Danger to Self (DTS), Danger to Others (DTO), and Grave Disability (GD). Furthermore, I have collaborated closely with numerous Cou...
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Jeffrey R. Goodyear, LCSW
Mental Health, Behavioral Health and Substance Use
Scotts Valley, California
Mental Health, Substance Abuse
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Forensics, Homelessness, Chronic Mental Illness, Crisis Intervention, Dual Diagnosis, Substance Use Disorder, Psychosocial Assessments, LPS holds, Conservatorship, Coordinated Care, Jail Mental Health, Social Work, Treatment Planning, Multidisciplinary Teams, Hospital, Psychiatric Inpatient, Behavioral and Social Sciences
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) – Forensic & Community Mental Health Specialist
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 17 years of experience in behavioral health, homelessness, substance use, and forensic mental health, including 9 years of post-MSW clinical practice. My professional background spans high-acuity settings such as correctional facilities, psychiatric units, and community-based programs, where I’ve provided direct clinical services, crisis intervention, and care coordination for some of the most vulnerable populations.
As a former Mental Health First Aid Instructor for Santa Cruz County Mental Health, I trained county agencies and community-based partners in identifying, understanding, and responding to signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. This role highlights my dedication to community education and building mental health literacy across systems of care.
My expertise includes:
Crisis intervention and de-escalation
Psychiatric risk ass...
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Matthew Madaus, LCSW
Expert in the Behavioral Health Standard of Care
Madaus Consulting LLC
Vallejo, California
Mental Health, Social Work
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Children's Mental Health, Child Welfare, Standard of Care, Residential Treatment, Group Home, Behavioral Health, Drug and Alcohol Treatment, Inpatient Treatment, Substance Use Treatment, Social Work, Residential Care, Addiction Treatment, Children's Behavioral Health, Children's Therapy, Pediatric Mental Health, Trauma Treatment
Matthew Madaus, LCSW, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 35 years of leadership experience in the behavioral health field. He currently serves as Executive Director of the Behavioral Health Collaborative of Alameda County, an association of nonprofit mental health and substance use treatment providers. Member agencies deliver services to more than 175,000 children, youth, and adults annually, including mental health care, substance use treatment, foster care, education, and housing. Mr. Madaus advises agency executives and senior staff on upholding the standard of care across their service systems.
Mr. Madaus was the CEO of Edgewood Center for Children and Families in San Francisco, overseeing all residential treatment and community-based programs. He was the Clinical Director of The Home for Little Wanderers in Boston, where he provided leadership to numerous residential and community-based programs. He has held positions as Executive Director, Chief Operating Office...
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Ashley Tapia, LCSW
Child & Family Trauma Mental Health Expert
Tapia Blooming Therapy
San Diego, California
Mental Health, Child Abuse
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Children's Mental Health, Bullying, Child Depression/ Anxiety, Foster Care, CPS Investigations, Child Protective Services, Childhood Trauma, Family Violence, Family Based Treatment, Behavioral Health, Social Work, Pediatric Mental Health, Reunification, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Early Childhood Development
Ashley Tapia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in California and Texas specializing in child and family mental health. Ms. Tapia earned her Master of Social Work in 2019 from California State University, Long Beach. She has four years of experience working as a Protective Services Worker with Child Welfare Services in both Orange County and San Diego County. In this role, she conducted child abuse and neglect investigations, assessed child safety and risk, and worked closely with families involved in the dependency court system. She also provided reunification services, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to support family stability and promote safe parent–child relationships.
Since 2022, Ms. Tapia has provided psychotherapy services in children’s mental health in both inpatient and outpatient settings, serving as a clinician and program manager. In these roles, she has delivered intensive individual, group, and family psychotherapy to children and adolescents betw...
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Lorraine K Bockman, LCSW, LAC, SAP
Substance Use & Addictions Therapist/Expert
Comprehensive Addiction Solutions LLC
Centennial, Colorado
Substance Abuse, Mental Health
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Substance Abuse, Chemical Dependency, Prescription Drug Abuse, Substance Abuse treatment, Standards of Care, Drug Addiction, Alcoholism, Substance Abuse Recovery, Addiction Recovery, Chronic Relapse, Clinical Policies, DOT Substance Abuse Professional (SAP), Social work, Ethics, Licensure Board matters
Ms. Bockman is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Licensed Addictions Counselor in Colorado, and is qualified as a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) under the Department of Transportation (DOT) guidelines. She maintains a clinical practice seeing individuals in a therapeutic setting, specializing in addictions and related issues. She has additional career experience as a program director, manager/staff developer, clinical supervisor, evaluator, and clinician. She has worked in inpatient, residential, hospital, and outpatient settings prior to working in private practice.
Ms. Bockman is considered to have the special knowledge, experience, and education that goes far beyond basic public information in the field of substance use, abuse, additions, and other related topics. She has the skills you may be seeking in an expert witness including written and oral communication, team player expertise, confidence, and honesty. Her expert witness practice includes: case review and a...
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Jessica Duesler, LCSW-BCD
Forensic Social Work, Child Welfare, CPS Expert
Colorado Forensic Family Advocacy
Centennial, Colorado
Child Abuse, Social Work
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child custody, child development, child abuse, neglect, Family separation, Trauma, Best interest, Mental health, Reasonable efforts, Forensic social work, Removal, Foster care, Reunification, Adoption, Attachment, Termination of parental rights, Kinship care, Social work, child protective services, CPS
Jessica Duesler is a Board Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Colorado, Utah, Texas, and Florida with nearly 20 years of experience.
Holding certifications in Forensic Social Work and Multicultural and International Social Work Practice, other specialized expertise includes Adoption Trauma, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Complex Trauma, the Harm of Removal, TPR, and Forensic Evaluations. Jessica's primary focus of work is centered around dependent and neglected children and domestic relations matters. She has also worked on juvenile delinquency and guardianship cases.
Jessica's scope of work routinely involves legal advocacy, conducting mental health evaluations, child-focused trauma assessments, Parent-Child Interactional Evaluations, facilitating therapeutic out-of-home placement transitions, and serving as an expert witness throughout the country. Jessica is a certified Child & Family Investigator and Parental Responsibilities Evaluator.
Jessica’s exp...
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Jessica Duesler, LCSW-BCD
Forensic Social Work, Child Welfare, CPS Expert
Colorado Forensic Family Advocacy
Florida
Child Abuse, Social Work
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child custody, child development, child abuse, neglect, Family separation, Trauma, Best interest, Mental health, Reasonable efforts, Forensic social work, Removal, Foster care, Reunification, Adoption, Attachment, Termination of parental rights, Kinship care, Social work, child protective services, CPS
Jessica Duesler is a Board Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Colorado, Utah, Texas, and Florida with nearly 20 years of experience.
Holding certifications in Forensic Social Work and Multicultural and International Social Work Practice, other specialized expertise includes Adoption Trauma, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Complex Trauma, the Harm of Removal, TPR, and Forensic Evaluations. Jessica's primary focus of work is centered around dependent and neglected children and domestic relations matters. She has also worked on juvenile delinquency and guardianship cases.
Jessica's scope of work routinely involves legal advocacy, conducting mental health evaluations, child-focused trauma assessments, Parent-Child Interactional Evaluations, facilitating therapeutic out-of-home placement transitions, and serving as an expert witness throughout the country. Jessica is a certified Child & Family Investigator and Parental Responsibilities Evaluator.
Jessica’s exp...
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Gina V Marra, RN, LCSW, CLCP
Emergency Medicine RN + LCSW + CLCP
Chicago, Illinois
Emergency Medicine, Nurse
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emergency department, emergency medicine, emergency, trauma, social work, therapist, psychiatry, addiction, restraint use, scope of practice, LCSW, mental health, traumatic brain injury, Life Care Plan, triage, discharge, expert witness, standard of care, deviations, spinal cord injury
Gina is Illinois' only board-certified Emergency Room Registered Nurse who is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She remains clinically active in both roles - practicing as an ER nurse and as a 1:1 psychotherapist - bringing a rare and valuable dual perspective to each case.
Gina has done work behind the scenes with providing very condensed and relevant medical chronologies and evaluating cases for merit. She has provided expert opinions and deposition testimony in both emergency nursing and mental health. Her clinical experience spans a wide range of settings, with a primary focus on risk management, crisis work and hands-on ER nursing. She has also worked extensively in case management and conducted peer-to-peer reviews for HMOs.
Gina played a key role in the successful launch of a Mental Illness + Substance Abuse inpatient psychiatric unit that achieved Joint Commission accreditation. Beyond her clinical work, she is an award winning writer and dynamic speaker. Her most re...
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Jessica Duesler, LCSW-BCD
Forensic Social Work, Child Welfare, CPS Expert
Colorado Forensic Family Advocacy
Texas
Child Abuse, Social Work
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child custody, child development, child abuse, neglect, Family separation, Trauma, Best interest, Mental health, Reasonable efforts, Forensic social work, Removal, Foster care, Reunification, Adoption, Attachment, Termination of parental rights, Kinship care, Social work, child protective services, CPS
Jessica Duesler is a Board Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Colorado, Utah, Texas, and Florida with nearly 20 years of experience.
Holding certifications in Forensic Social Work and Multicultural and International Social Work Practice, other specialized expertise includes Adoption Trauma, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Complex Trauma, the Harm of Removal, TPR, and Forensic Evaluations. Jessica's primary focus of work is centered around dependent and neglected children and domestic relations matters. She has also worked on juvenile delinquency and guardianship cases.
Jessica's scope of work routinely involves legal advocacy, conducting mental health evaluations, child-focused trauma assessments, Parent-Child Interactional Evaluations, facilitating therapeutic out-of-home placement transitions, and serving as an expert witness throughout the country. Jessica is a certified Child & Family Investigator and Parental Responsibilities Evaluator.
Jessica’s exp...
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Jessica Duesler, LCSW-BCD
Forensic Social Work, Child Welfare, CPS Expert
Colorado Forensic Family Advocacy
Utah
Child Abuse, Social Work
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child custody, child development, child abuse, neglect, Family separation, Trauma, Best interest, Mental health, Reasonable efforts, Forensic social work, Removal, Foster care, Reunification, Adoption, Attachment, Termination of parental rights, Kinship care, Social work, child protective services, CPS
Jessica Duesler is a Board Certified Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Colorado, Utah, Texas, and Florida with nearly 20 years of experience.
Holding certifications in Forensic Social Work and Multicultural and International Social Work Practice, other specialized expertise includes Adoption Trauma, Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health, Complex Trauma, the Harm of Removal, TPR, and Forensic Evaluations. Jessica's primary focus of work is centered around dependent and neglected children and domestic relations matters. She has also worked on juvenile delinquency and guardianship cases.
Jessica's scope of work routinely involves legal advocacy, conducting mental health evaluations, child-focused trauma assessments, Parent-Child Interactional Evaluations, facilitating therapeutic out-of-home placement transitions, and serving as an expert witness throughout the country. Jessica is a certified Child & Family Investigator and Parental Responsibilities Evaluator.
Jessica’s exp...