Trauma Psychologist
Expert Witness Services
Specialist psychological assessments for PTSD, Complex PTSD, and historic abuse. Our trauma psychologists provide detailed evidence on causation, functional impact, and treatment pathways for personal injury, clinical negligence, and family proceedings.
What Is a Trauma Psychologist?
A Trauma Psychologist is a clinical or counselling psychologist with advanced training in the psychological sequelae of traumatic events. They specialise in the assessment and formulation of trauma-related disorders using evidence-based psychometric tools and clinical interviews.
In the legal system, trauma psychologists are frequently instructed to provide clarity on complex trauma presentations where multiple index events or pre-existing vulnerabilities may be present. They assess:
Qualifications & Professional Standards
When to Instruct a Trauma Psychologist
Trauma psychologists are essential when the legal question involves the psychological legacy of life-threatening or deeply distressing events. Instruct this expert type when you need:
C-PTSD Formulation
Distinguishing between standard PTSD and Complex PTSD (ICD-11) for accurate damages and treatment costing
Psychological Causation
Analysing the causal link between an index event and the claimant’s current psychological presentation
Historic Abuse Impact
Evaluating long-term psychological damage and the impact of delayed disclosure in historic cases
Workplace Trauma
Assessing vicarious trauma in emergency services or the impact of traumatic workplace accidents
Therapy Costs
Expert recommendations for trauma-focused therapies like EMDR, CBT, or somatic experiencing
Vulnerability
Assessing a witness’s vulnerability or need for special measures due to trauma-related dissociation
Legal Areas Covered
Trauma psychologists provide expert evidence across the following legal areas:
Personal Injury
PTSD and C-PTSD following RTAs, workplace accidents, or violent assaults
Historic Abuse
Psychological damage assessments for institutional or domestic historic abuse claims
Clinical Negligence
Birth trauma, surgical errors leading to PTSD, or failures in psychiatric care
Employment Law
Vicarious trauma claims, workplace bullying, and harassment impact assessments
Family & Care
Intergenerational trauma, domestic abuse impact, and parental trauma assessments
Criminal Justice
Vulnerability assessments and special measures for traumatised witnesses or victims
CICA Claims
Expert reports for the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority tariff system
Military Claims
AFCS and war pension claims for service-related PTSD and combat stress
Immigration & Asylum
Istanbul Protocol reports and trauma assessments for asylum seekers
Trauma Conditions Assessed
Post-Traumatic Stress
- PTSD (DSM-5/ICD-11)
- Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
- Acute Stress Disorder
- Delayed-Onset PTSD
Dissociative Disorders
- Depersonalisation
- Derealisation
- Dissociative Amnesia
- Dissociative Identity pathology
Historic Trauma
- Developmental Trauma
- Attachment Trauma
- Abuse-Related Disorders
- Intergenerational Trauma
Secondary Trauma
- Vicarious Traumatisation
- Compassion Fatigue
- Burnout with PTSD symptoms
- Secondary Traumatic Stress
Traumatic Loss
- Prolonged Grief Disorder
- Traumatic Bereavement
- Sudden Loss impact
- Grief-Related Depression
Associated States
- Trauma-Related Anxiety
- Adjustment Disorder
- Somatic Symptom Disorder
- Functional Neurological Disorder
Our Assessment Process
Instruction Received
Submit your instruction with case details
Expert Matched
We identify the most suitable trauma psychologist
CV & Quote Sent
Expert CV and fee estimate within 1 hour
Assessment Scheduled
Face-to-face or video appointment arranged
Clinical Assessment
Comprehensive psychological interview
Report Delivered
CPR Part 35 compliant report delivered
What’s Included in the Trauma Expert Report
Report Contents
- Review of medical and therapy records
- Developmental and attachment history
- Detailed account of index event(s)
- Clinical interview and observations
- Standardised psychometric testing (e.g. CAPS-5)
- Psychological formulation of trauma response
- Diagnosis against ICD-11/DSM-5 criteria
- Causation and apportionment opinion
- Functional impact and vocational prognosis
- Evidence-based treatment recommendations
- Estimated treatment costs and duration
- Statement of truth and declaration
Quality Standards
Why Instruct Our Trauma Psychologists?
1,500+ Experts
The UK’s largest panel of trauma-specialist psychologists available nationwide
CVs in 1 Hour
Rapid response with expert CVs and fee quotes
Urgent Reports Available
1-4 day turnaround for court deadlines
Nationwide Coverage
Experts located across the UK, plus remote video assessments
HCPC Registered
All experts are verified Health and Care Professions Council members
Court Experienced
Experts experienced in oral evidence, joint statements, and cross-examination
Fees & Funding Options
Private / Insurance
- Competitive fixed fees
- Fee estimate provided upfront
- Deferred payment available
- Direct billing to insurers
Legal Aid (LAA)
- LAA rates accepted
- Prior authority applications supported
- Experienced in publicly funded cases
Court / CPS Funded
- Crown Court rates
- CPS panel experience
- Court-appointed instructions
Frequently Asked Questions
A trauma psychologist focuses on the psychological formulation of the trauma, using psychometric testing and clinical interviews to understand the impact on the claimant’s functioning and therapy needs. A trauma psychiatrist is a medical doctor who can prescribe medication and provides a medical diagnosis. Psychologists are often preferred for detailed therapy costing and assessing functional impact in civil proceedings.
Yes. Assessing C-PTSD requires expertise in identifying symptoms beyond the standard PTSD criteria, including emotional dysregulation, negative self-concept, and interpersonal difficulties (ICD-11). Our experts use specific tools like the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ) to establish a C-PTSD formulation.
Yes. We have a dedicated panel of psychologists who specialise in the psychological legacy of historic abuse. They are trained in trauma-informed interviewing and can provide expert evidence on the impact of delayed disclosure and the long-term sequelae of childhood trauma.
We provide expert CVs and fee estimates within 1 hour of instruction. Standard appointments are typically available within 2-4 weeks. Urgent trauma assessments can be arranged within days where court deadlines require immediate evidence.
Yes. Remote video assessments are common and widely accepted by the courts. Our experts ensure a trauma-informed approach is maintained during video calls, though they will advise if a face-to-face appointment is clinically necessary for highly complex or dissociative cases.
Commonly used tools include the PCL-5 (PTSD Checklist), CAPS-5 (Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale), the International Trauma Questionnaire (ITQ), and the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES). These provide objective data to support the clinical formulation.
Instruct a Trauma Psychologist Today
CVs and quotes in 1 hour. Urgent reports in 1-4 days. The UK’s largest panel of HCPC registered specialist trauma psychologists.
