Specialist Supervision
Specialist supervision for psychologists working within or alongside family law.
What this service is
Professional supervision is an ongoing service designed for psychologists undertaking regular supervision as part of their continuing professional development, particularly those maintaining or working towards endorsement. Dr Trea Sanson-Fisher holds endorsements in both clinical and forensic psychology and supervises practitioners in both areas. Her particular focus is on psychologists working within the family law system. This includes Panel Family Consultants developing their practice as court report writers and clinicians who become involved in a family law matter, sometimes unexpectedly.
These situations arise more often than practitioners may anticipate. A psychologist may prepare a treatment report based partly on what a client hopes it will achieve in court, without fully understanding how the report will be interpreted or tested as evidence. From outside the court system, the process can appear opaque: a report may not have the intended effect, leaving the practitioner uncertain about why.
Dr Trea Sanson-Fisher’s supervision is designed to close that gap. Drawing on her experience within the family law system, she helps psychologists understand how their reports may function as evidence and what the Court requires from expert or clinical material. She also helps practitioners prepare work that is useful to the Court and to clients while remaining within their expertise, role and scope of practice.
Her supervision also draws on extensive experience giving evidence in court. Having been cross-examined by barristers hundreds of times in family law matters, Dr Trea Sanson-Fisher is skilled at identifying vulnerabilities in reports and helping practitioners address them. The aim is to ensure that reports provide the Court with relevant, useful information while remaining robust under cross-examination.
Who it's for
Psychologists seeking supervision to meet endorsement or CPD requirements, particularly those in clinical practice who are involved, or expect to become involved, in family law proceedings.
When it's typically used
On an ongoing basis as part of professional development. It is especially valuable when a psychologist first encounters the family law system, often through an existing client's case, and needs guidance on how to navigate it confidently and appropriately.
The Process
1. Initial conversation
It starts with a conversation about what you need: endorsement requirements, CPD obligations, or support with a specific family law matter you've found yourself part of.
2. Agreeing on the structure
Sessions are arranged as needed and can be conducted in person or online. Frequency and focus are agreed with each supervisee based on the matters they're working through and the support they need.
3. The sessions
Sessions are shaped around your work. That might mean reviewing a treatment report before it goes anywhere near a court, unpacking how the family law system will read your material, or working through a complaint or a matter that's gone badly. Dr Trea Sanson-Fisher's aim is that you leave each session understanding the system better than when you arrived.
4. Ongoing support
Supervision can continue as a standing arrangement for endorsement or CPD purposes or be engaged as needed when family law matters arise in your practice.
FAQs
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Psychologists who need supervision for endorsement or CPD purposes, and particularly clinicians whose work has brought them into contact with the family law system: a treatment report requested for court, a client in proceedings, or a complaint arising from a family law matter.
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Yes. Trea is a Board-approved supervisor with the Psychology Board of Australia and holds dual specialist endorsements in clinical and forensic psychology. She is also a member of the Australian Psychological Society, and a Fellow of the APS College of Clinical Psychologists and a Fellow of the APS College of Forensic Psychologists. Her supervision meets AHPRA continuing professional development requirements.
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Yes, and ideally before you write it rather than after. Understanding how the court will read your report, what it can and can't do for your client, and how it might be tested if you're called to give evidence is exactly the gap Trea's supervision is designed to close. She's been cross-examined by barristers hundreds of times over her career, so she knows where reports get pulled apart — and how to help you write one that holds up.