Vincent Papaleo is an internationally recognised expert in the clinical aspects of Family Law. Having commenced his career in the Dept of Child Psychiatry at the Austin Hospital, he moved into private practice, specialising in separated families. He has over 30 years’ experience, both in practice, though also as court witness, trainer, and consultant. He presents at events all over Australia and overseas, becoming a highly regarded contributor to professional development events. 

Ben Jones is a registered psychologist with doctoral training in forensic behavioural science. He worked in criminal law for almost a decade before coming to specialise in Family Law in 2009. He is particularly renowned for his work in cases where there is a substantial risk footprint – family violence, sexual abuse, and personality disturbance. He provides single-expert advice to the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court, though is concurrently a prolific public speaker, as well as seminar convener. Dr Jones is recognised around Australia as one of the few AFCC Endorsed Report Writers, and has been invited to present on Family Law topics in many countries around the world. 

Dr Angela Sorotos is a registered clinical and forensic psychologist with over 15 years' experience in the criminal justice system. She has extensive forensic experience in the assessment and treatment of risk. Dr Sorotos has expertise in providing written and oral evidence in court on matters relating to risk of family violence, sexual violence and general violence, as well as risk of future child maltreatment. Dr Sorotos has extensive experience in assessing mental health, alcohol and other drugs (AOD) use and protective capacity of parents. She has worked for government, private and non-for-profit sectors carrying out hundreds of risk assessments on clinical and forensic clients, across both criminal and family jurisdictions. Dr Sorotos is also registered behaviour support practitioner and has experience working with complex, dual diagnosis clients with comorbid disability and mental illness. She has previously taught psychology and criminology units at Monash University and has extensive experience in the AOD sector.  

Stephanie is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist and Board Approved Supervisor who works with children and families over the developmental lifespan. She is experienced in neurodevelopmental disorders (i.e., autism, attention and learning difficulties, global developmental delay, intellectual disabilities), harnessed through extensive training and specialist paediatric roles. Stephanie has worked in a range of settings, including at the Children’s Court Clinic, Victoria, conducting family and neurodevelopmental assessments for at-risk children and families. 

Clare is a consultant social worker and expert witness with over 15 years' experience in the assessment of complex cases involving vulnerable children, adolescents and their families. Clare is highly skilled in the provision of court reports and the assessment of risk of harm to young people (child maltreatment and parenting capacity assessments) and the assessment of suitable placement options. She has a strong history in leading Child Protection teams investigating complex matters such as physical, emotional and sexual abuse, family violence, parental substance misuse and severe neglect of children. Clare is also highly skilled in working therapeutically with young people who present with school refusal, parental separation, trauma and attachment issues, grief and loss, social difficulties, challenging behaviours and mental illness.

Andrea Vergara is a highly experienced Senior Forensic Psychologist with over a decade of expertise in Forensic Psychology. She is registered with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Specialising in psychological assessments and interventions for individuals involved in the criminal justice system and family welfare services, Andrea has extensive experience preparing expert witness reports in various legal contexts, including family court, criminal court, mental health tribunals, and parole boards. Her work focuses on risk assessments related to family, general, and sexual violence, as well as parental and mental capacity, substance abuse, mental illness, and personality disorders—particularly in cases involving vulnerable children and re-offending risks. Andrea engages regularly with solicitors, local authorities, case managers and probation officers to provide evidence-based recommendations on risk management and family welfare support.

Dr Kate Jackowski is a registered Psychologist with a strong background in Forensic Psychology and Criminology. She completed a Doctorate in Forensic Psychology at Deakin University, Melbourne, is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society Forensic College and an accredited Supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia. Kate has produced Forensic reports for the Family and Criminal Courts and has given extensive written and oral evidence. She is well versed in the Family and Federal Circuit Courts and has expertise in the areas of risk assessment of sexual offending, mental health and childhood trauma. Kate is available to not only complete Family Reports but to undertake Risk Assessment for cases in which there are allegations of family violence, sexual abuse, mental health issues, and drug and alcohol problems. Kate also offers a range of therapeutic counselling for clients, as well as professional development and training for professionals within the family law arena and forensic field more broadly.

Dr Timothy Di Stefano is a Doctor of Clinical Psychology and Consultant Psychologist in clinical assessment and intervention in family law. He is a Single Expert Witness for the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia. Dr Di Stefano holds board-certified doctoral status by ‘Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Stream)’, comprising six-year postgraduate completion of the advanced coursework program of Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) and research program of Doctor of Philosophy (Clinical Psychology). He was awarded the Australian Psychological Society Prize for academic excellence in psychology, coursework and research scholarships, and the dux of Doctor of Psychology (Clinical) at RMIT University. Dr Di Stefano co-founded The Practice of Family Law: The Masterclass Series professional development seminars and has been an invited speaker at national family law conferences hosted by Victoria Legal Aid and the Law Council of Australia. He is a member of the Australian Psychological Society.

Sarah is a qualified accredited mental health social worker (AMHSW) and Family Therapist. Sarah holds a Graduate Diploma in Mental Health Sciences (Infant and Parent Mental Health) and a Masters in Clinical Family Therapy. Sarah has over 25 years’ experience working families and children in a variety of different roles. Sarah has worked in child protection sectors, out of home care, trauma consultancy, Headspace and private practice specialising in trauma. Sarah specialises in complex family therapy including relational trauma and family breakdown. Sarah is also highly experienced and skilled in working directly with young people with trauma and attachment presentations, challenging behaviours, relational challenges, high risk behaviours and mental health diagnoses. Sarah is passionate about the benefit of Family Therapy, and the need for it to be offered and accessible with all clinical/ therapeutic work with families.

Dr Sophie Reeves is a registered clinical and forensic psychologist and Board approved supervisor with family therapy training. She has 20 years’ experience completing forensic assessments and delivering treatment within adult and youth forensic and clinical settings. These include the Adolescent Forensic Mental Health Service (Royal Children’s Hospital), Forensicare’s Problem Behaviour Program for 14 years, Disability Justice, Department of Justice and Community Safety, Headspace, and the Children’s Court Clinic since 2016. Dr Reeves has expertise in the provision of court reports, including risk assessments, involving at-risk children and vulnerable families and individuals presenting with a range of mental health difficulties and associated problem behaviours, in particular sexual and family violence, substance abuse, threatening and stalking behaviour. 

Mary and Kirsty and Mia have worked in practice management and office administration over many years. They are the first point of contact people will have with our practice. They assist our clinicians with all areas of their work, including scheduling appointments, collating documents, welcoming clients, receiving payments, coordinating families on site, and distributing information to parties/legal representatives. They are an invaluable part of our team!

Mary and Kirsty and Mia have worked in practice management and office administration over many years. They are the first point of contact people will have with our practice. They assist our clinicians with all areas of their work, including scheduling appointments, collating documents, welcoming clients, receiving payments, coordinating families on site, and distributing information to parties/legal representatives. They are an invaluable part of our team!

Mary and Kirsty and Mia have worked in practice management and office administration over many years. They are the first point of contact people will have with our practice. They assist our clinicians with all areas of their work, including scheduling appointments, collating documents, welcoming clients, receiving payments, coordinating families on site, and distributing information to parties/legal representatives. They are an invaluable part of our team!