Court Testimony •  Expert Witness Services

Telephonic & In-Person

With Court Testimony, Preparation is Key

  • Clinical observations of the client's non-verbal behavior, cognitive functioning, and emotional expression

  • Validity of reported symptoms, credibility, and issues of malingering

  • Method of arrival at clinical diagnosis(es)

  • Explanation and clarification of diagnosis(es)

  • Explanation of cultural norms and contextual factors affecting mental health issues
    ​
  • Prognosis and barriers to treatment
    ​
  • ​Clinical recommendations for psychological and/or psychiatric treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

Expert witness or court testimony services are considered a completely  separate service than a psychological evaluation or a course of psychological treatment sessions.

These services have their own contract, required paperwork,
​and include a variety of tasks.

​HOW MANY TIMES HAVE YOU TESTIFIED AS AN EXPERT WITNESS?
Since opening my private practice in 2016, I have testified as an expert witness for 5 immigration cases at San Francisco Immigration Court. Most recently, and I have been asked to prepare for upcoming cases in both immigration court and criminal court for court dates set for 2019 and 2020.
wHAT TYPE OF cASES HAVE YOU TESTIFIED IN?
  • Mexican Extreme family hardship (spousal relationship)
  • Guatemalan asylum, removal proceedings (Mayan ethnicity and gang extortion)
  • Guatemalan asylum, removal proceedings  (gang targeting and domestic violence)
  • Mexican Extreme family hardship (parent/adult child relationship)
  • Guatemalan asylum (severe childhood trauma and social phobia, preventing the person from speaking at the person's own trial)
aRE YOU A DOCTOR?
I am not a medical doctor/psychiatrist (M.D.) or psychologist/doctor of psychology (Ph.D. or Psy.D.). I have a Masters of Arts (MA) in counseling psychology and am licensed by California's Board of Behavioral Sciences as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) Lic. 90751.

"LMFTs are trained and authorized by law to do much more than provide marriage counseling. Their scope of practice is set forth in California Business & Professions Code§§ 4980.02 and 4980.36, with the later section expanding the scope of practice to include the coursework and training LMFTs receive in their graduate programs. Such coursework and training includes assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental disorders, working with victims of trauma, and treating those with substance-abuse disorders. LMFTs provide these services for recipients of services from the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Defense, the Department of Transportation, the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and Medicaid, among others. The scope of practice for LMFTs, as set forth in B&P § 4980.36, includes education and training in all of the core tasks that comprise the conducting of psychological evaluations, including assessing, diagnosing, and treating mental disorders, and the writing of treatment plans."

- J. Epstein, JD (Executive Director) and D. Jensen, JD (staff attorney) of
​the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT)
Picture
Mental Health Expert Listing

Telephonic Testimony

​Flat Rate $1,000​

Expert Testimony (telefonic) • Testimonio Experto (telefónico)

$1,000.00
Telefonic • Telefónico
Purchase
Includes review of chart, study of any additional medical records gained before court date, meeting with attorney, memorization of details, a professional full-color presentation of all required documents, such as a curriculum vitae (CV) and/or customized statement regarding my expertise and diagnostic training from the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). Telephonic testimony reserves my undivided attention and availability to enter a telephone call for a three hour block of time.
​

​In-Person Court Testimony

Flat Rate $2,000​

Expert Testimony (in person) • Testimonio Experto (en persona)

$2,000.00

Physical in-person testimony includes review of chart, study of any additional medical records gained before court date, meeting with attorney, memorization of details, a professional full-color presentation of all required documents, such as a curriculum vitae (CV) and/or customized statement regarding my expertise and diagnostic training from the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT). 


Testimony in San Francisco Immigration Court or other court from the witness stand/defendant's side (everything must be memorized given that reading from notes is generally prohibited). An arrival at least one hour before the court begins and formal dress are essential for sucess.
Purchase
All tasks included above along with my physical in-person testimony from the witness stand/defendant's side (everything must be memorized given that reading from notes is generally prohibited), an arrival at least one hour before the court begins, formal dress (typically a black pant suit, professional heels and bag, low slicked bun), and availability for emotional support during the time waiting (which can sometimes be long and nerve-racking). Given the anticipated preparation, traffic, and parking, my entire day will be reserved for any and all duties related to in-person testimony.

Feeling Stressed Out About an Upcoming Court Hearing?

Listen to an anxiety-busting audio CD by Grace Pacheco, MFT!
Available in English or Spanish

Adios Anxiety Meditation Album (CD)

$15.00
Shop

Adios Anxiety Meditation Album (Digital Mp3)

$9.99
Shop