Social Work Expert Witnesses

Social Work, Child Abuse - 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

Newport Beach, California

Mental Health, Substance Abuse - 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

With over a decade of experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Certified Eating Disorder Specialist & Supervisor, Sarah Burney is a leading expert in her field. She specializes in treating all types of eating disorders, acute & complex trauma, substance abuse, obsessive compulsive disorder, and depressive / anxiety disorders. Her experience includes providing intensive therapy at inpatient & outpatient treatment centers for eating disorders, mental health, and substance abuse. She is also a former director of one of the nation's largest and leading adult eating disorder treatment center, giving her extensive experience with acute cases and working with a multi-disciplinary team. Sarah has also presented at international conferences and universities, and trained a variety of mental health professionals. Sarah utilizes humanistic and psychoanalytic therapeutic approach, and implements various evidence based therapeutic interventions, including, but not limited to: Cogniti...

Northridge, California

Child Abuse, Social Work - child death, child abuse, child neglect, foster care, child welfare, daycare, investigations, adoption, federal child welfare policy, child welfare standards, daycare stds of operation, child safety, child placement, family functioning, operating child welfare organizations, daycare regulation

Experience Founder/CEO of human services consulting firm serving government and nonprofit organizations across the US for last 3 years 33 years of government service Front-line, supervisory, managerial, administrative, and leadership roles Social Worker (child welfare), Probation/Parole Officer, County Social Serivces Director, State Policy Director, State Legislative Director Twice appointed by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal — Commissioner, Early Care and Learning (2011-2013); Director of Family and Children Services (2013-2017) Four years as Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services (largest local child welfare agency in the United States) Education BA, Political Science/Sociology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1989) MSW, Management, Planning, Community Practice Concentration, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1998) Training More than 1,075 hours of professional training in child welfare, community corrections, adult...

Woodland Hills, California

Social Work, Mental Health - 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 ...

Newport Beach, California

Social Work, Child Abuse - Child protective services, public child welfare, foster care, child abuse & neglect, nonminor dependents, emergency removals, dependency court, CPS standards of care, CPS policies & practices, civil rights, CPS investigations, mandated reporting, reasonable services, reunification, .26 hearings

Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25+ years of diverse work experience including in the public sector, private sector, non-profit, academia, and military. A former Child Protective Services (CPS) social worker & supervisor of 15 years with insider knowledge about child welfare. Hands-on experience with hundreds of child welfare-involved families and children in all phases of a child dependency case. Supervised, trained, and taught CPS social workers, interns, and Master of Social Work students. Specialized areas of knowledge include: Certificates of Merits Emergency Child Removals, warrants Warrantless removals, exigent circumstances, imminent risk Child Protective Services policies, practices, and procedures Child abuse and neglect Foster care, out of home care, congregate care Case Plans: Reunification, family maintenance and transitional living plans Standards of care § 1983 Civil rights, Monell Liability AB12/Non-Minor dependents Structured Decision-Making (SDM) Risk asses...

Mission Viejo, California

Social Work - Social Worker Standard of Care, Child Welfare, Foster Care, Mandated Reporter, Juvenile Dependency, Placement, Warrants & Removals, Case Planning, Family Reunification, Foster Care Licensing, Group Homes, Child Abuse, Foster Homes, Shelter Care

I have extensive experience working in public child welfare and human resources for the County of Orange, Social Services Agency. Child Welfare areas of expertise include dependency intake and investigations, out of home placement including group home, foster home, relative and shelter care placement, foster parenting recruitment, training, licensing and relative family approval. Experience has been in both a Senior Social Worker, Senior Social Services Supervisor and leadership capacity (Program Manager I & II ). I am trained in Trauma Informed Practice & Safety Organized Practice, knowledgeable of and proficient in the Child Welfare Services/Case Management System.

Murrieta, California

Social Work, Child Abuse - 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

Denver, Colorado

Child Abuse, Social Work - child custody, child development, child abuse, child neglect, Family separation, Trauma, Best interest, Mental health, Tpr, family separation, Removal, Foster care, Reunification, Adoption, Attachment, PTSD, Kinship care, behavioral and social sciences, child protective services, child dependency

Jessica Handelman 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 e...

Jacksonville, Florida

Child Abuse, Social Work - Child custody, child abuse & neglect, suicide, medical management, social work malpractice, child protective services, mandated reporters, abuse investigations, addictions counseling, substance abuse services, foster care, adoption, academic management, guardianships

● Call me now! (904) 287-8400! I am available to assist you immediately. You will love my genuine and empathetic style. I am able to present complex cases in a manner that is easy to understand and profound in their application to your case. ● NATIONAL EXPERT- Interviewed on CBS and NBC News. See: https://liebertindustries.com/ Work in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas, WV, and WI. Child removals, adoption, foster care, suicide, child abuse, sex abuse, social work malpractice, psychotherapy, guardianships, elder abuse, psychiatric management, psych hospitals, assisted living facilities, medical administration and custody related cases. ●Additional Information Dr. Lorbeer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Counselors. He has been with The UF Health Academic Medical Center for 25 years; one of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in the nation, where he evaluated 1000s of psychiatric cases in the eme...

Massachusetts

Child Abuse, Social Work - Child custody, child abuse & neglect, suicide, medical management, social work malpractice, child protective services, mandated reporters, abuse investigations, addictions counseling, substance abuse services, foster care, adoption, academic management, guardianships

● Call me now! (904) 287-8400! I am available to assist you immediately. You will love my genuine and empathetic style. I am able to present complex cases in a manner that is easy to understand and profound in their application to your case. ● NATIONAL EXPERT- Interviewed on CBS and NBC News. See: https://liebertindustries.com/ Work in Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Texas, WV, and WI. Child removals, adoption, foster care, suicide, child abuse, sex abuse, social work malpractice, psychotherapy, guardianships, elder abuse, psychiatric management, psych hospitals, assisted living facilities, medical administration and custody related cases. ●Additional Information Dr. Lorbeer is a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Counselors. He has been with The UF Health Academic Medical Center for 25 years; one of the largest and most prestigious hospitals in the nation, where he evaluated 1000s of psychiatric cases in the eme...

New York, New York

Social Work, Mental Health - Personal injury, MVA, Trauma, PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Divorce, Substance Use Disorder, Phobia, Sleep Disorders, Mood Disorders, ADHD, Emotional Distress, Sex Addiction, Grief, Employment, Isolation, Custody, Memory Loss, Avoidance

Certified Divorce Coach Certified Trauma Therapist With over 30 years of extensive experience in the field of mental health, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to conducting comprehensive mental health evaluations following accidents. Throughout my career, I have specialized in working with individuals grappling with a myriad of mental health challenges, including PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, Trauma Divorce, and Substance Use Disorders. My in-depth understanding of the nuanced intricacies of these conditions positions me as a seasoned professional capable of providing thorough assessments that significantly enhance the value of legal cases. Attorneys can rely on my profound insights and well-honed assessment skills to elucidate the impact of accidents on an individual's mental well-being, taking into account the complex interplay of mental health and trauma. This holistic approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation, providing attorneys with valuable information to strengt...

Sanford, North Carolina

Social Work, Mental Health - Clinical Social Work, Mental Health Treatment, Substance Use Disorder Treatment, Ethics, Standard of Care, Evidence-based Practices, Treatment Planning, Private Practice Standards of Care, Diagnostics, Informed Consent for Care, Training for Practice Modalities, Licensure Board Matters

Thought-leading social worker in active clinical practice. Former Duke and UNC Faculty. Former President of the North Carolina Society for Clinical Social Work. Significant experience developing and delivering training to MDs, social workers, and other clinicians. Winner of “Social Worker of the Year” award. Member of NASW revision task force for Standards in Clinical Social Work Practice. Clinical focus on diagnosis and treatment for depression, anxiety, adult and child ADD, relationship conflict, trauma survivors (adult and child) and recovery issues related to substance use disorders. Clinical experience to include children, adolescents, adults, and couples. Program development, management, licensure and accreditation expertise. Experienced expert witness.

Charlotte, North Carolina

Geriatrics, Guardianship/Conservatorship - Elder abuse, disability, senior, healthcare power of attorney, healthcare advocate, social work, care management, case management, long-term care, assisted living, memory care, guardian, nursing home, assessments, cognitive impairment, dementia, conservator, exploitation, elder fraud

I opened up a care management company in Charlotte, NC in 2005 following the completion of my Master of Arts degree in Gerontology. I lead a team of nurses, social workers, gerontologists, and counselors to advocate for older adults and their family caregivers. For the past 15 years, I have served as a private guardian for older individuals who have been adjudicated in our court system. I serve as a Board Member of the North Carolina Guardianship Association and am a member of the National Guardianship Association. I became certified as a guardian in 2017 and am currently one of only 52 National Master Guardians in the country. This is the highest professional designation that can be attained by guardians and it requires extensive demonstration of competencies in a variety of areas, a comprehensive exam, and at least 15 years of experience in the field of guardianship. In our routine work as both care managers and guardians, we conduct clinical assessments of older adults and person...

Texas

Child Abuse, Social Work - child custody, child development, child abuse, child neglect, Family separation, Trauma, Best interest, Mental health, Tpr, family separation, Removal, Foster care, Reunification, Adoption, Attachment, PTSD, Kinship care, behavioral and social sciences, child protective services, child dependency

Jessica Handelman 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 e...