John Brownhill Clinical Psychologist

Single-Expert Family Report Writer

John Brownhill provides independent single-expert family reports, child impact reports and specific issue reports in family law parenting matters, either court-appointed or privately commissioned.

He has experience producing numerous court related reports such as pre-sentence reports and firearm revocation reports for District and Magistrates Court and  Family Reports required for Family Court.

John has over 25 years experience as a psychologist and has undergone extensive post graduate training to gain the expertise needed within the fields of child development and psychopathology, family dynamics, as well as  psychological assessment needed to produce high quality Family and other Reports.

Family Reports are conducted to identify, delineate, and communicate to the court what is in the best interests of the children involved in a dispute.

Preparation of a Family Report requires an unprejudiced and open-minded approach to each family assessment, seeking to engage and understand each child and adult's unique perspective.

Fees for a standard Family Report are $6500 (excl. GST).

Completed reports are guaranteed to be submitted within 2-3 weeks of the assessment/interview process being conducted.

I welcome enquiries from legal professionals regarding the preparation of a Family Report.

Process for Completing a Family Report

After receiving an order from the Federal Circuit and Family Court under Section 62G of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) – You may be required to obtain a Family Report.

This order requires the adult parties and the child/ren involved to attend an assessment. The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the needs of each child and recommend appropriate parenting arrangements to support those needs. A Family Report may also be ordered to assess specific risk factors or concerns affecting the child.

Once the assessment is scheduled, both adults and children must be available for interviews and observations, typically conducted over one to two days.

The assessment includes:

• Individual interviews with each adult (approximately 90 minutes each)
• Interviews with each child (approximately 30 minutes each)
• Observations of each child with each parent (approximately 30 minutes each)

While observations must be conducted in person, interviews may be held either in person or online. Psychometric assessment may also be part of the assessment process.

During the assessment process, the assessor may gather additional information relevant to the welfare of the child/ren and any risks or disputed matters. This may involve verbal or written communication with childcare providers, schools, medical or allied health professionals, government agencies, or through documents obtained via subpoena.

First step is to email    info@impacthealth.com.au

QUALIFICATIONS & AWARDS
• 2008 Member of the APS Clinical College
• 2006 Master of Clinical Psychology (Griffith University).
• 2000 Member of the APS
• 1997 Post Graduate Diploma of Professional Psychology (Bond).
• 1992 Bachelor of Arts (U.N.E)
DEMONSTRATED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE
• John has completed an internship with the Griffith University Psychology Clinic, and two external placements. One placement was within a child and family psychology clinic and one with the Gold Coast Drug Council, where he was employed.
• In his role with the Gold Coast Drug Council John performed a number of tasks related to providing individual assessment and treatment to managing clinical staff and work teams in a residential programme. He also co-ordinated treatment and advised staff in a multi-disciplinary team. He has demonstrated the ability to advise treatment providers in multidisciplinary settings in relation to ethical and treatment issues.
• John maintains and updates his clinical skills and evidence based practice through regular professional development activities, exceeding the specialist Clinical College requirements.
• John currently has a clinical caseload at Impact Health Pty Ltd and regularly consults with a wide range of health professionals to ensure his clients receive optimal care. John currently receives referrals from psychiatrists and GPs, as well as other community agencies such as Community Corrections and Goldbridge Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Programme, Job Networks, VVCS, and Workcover. He understands the need for liaison with these treatment providers to allow optimal care of patients.
• Part of John’s recent practice involves a multi-disciplinary persistent pain team.
• John regularly works with Family Services regarding parenting plans and children in care.
• Authored numerous treatment reports and psychological reports for magistrate and other courts in Australia.
• John performs assessment of neuro-developmental disorders, ASD, ADHD, other childhood disorders.

Additional Clinical College Approved Training
• Complex posttraumatic stress disorder, diagnosis, intervention. 2022.
• Trauma intervention for Children- Trauma focused cognitive behavioural therapy for children. 2021.
• Trauma Intervention - Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. 2021.
• Autistic Spectrum Disorder – APS Course. 2024.
• Autistic Spectrum Disorder – Assessment & Diagnosis. APS Course. 2024.
• Administration of Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2. 2025.
• Administration of Autism Diagnostic Interview- Revised. 2025.
• Assessment of Child/Adolescent Attention deficit hyperactivity Disorder, 2024.
• Assessment of adult Attention deficit hyperactivity Disorder, 2024.
• Court Report Writing. Jack White 2009.

CAREER HISTORY
2006 – Current Director and Clinical Psychologist – Impact Health Pty Ltd.
• Providing psychological services for individuals, liaising with referring agencies (including GP’s, psychiatrists, CCS, Goldbridge Drug Rehabilitation Programme, Job Networks, Workcover, and VVCS). Role includes management of psychology practice with service providers including clerical and financial demands, and clinical supervision and advise to staff on ethical issues.
• Report writing- pre-sentence report, family court report writing.
2005-2007 Psychologist/Mentor - Sarina Russo Job Access.
• Using skills of assessment, formulation, and intervention, a psychological mentor provides services to chronically unemployed persons upon gaining a work position. In this role, the mentor uses the therapeutic relationship and evidence based interventions to support the person to maintain this role. Support and advice provided to Job Network staff to provide optimal service.
2003 Griffith University - Tutor.
• Preparing and delivering weekly educational sessions to psychologists in training. The role included the application of Student Learning theories, Preparation and Planning, Presenting and Facilitating discussion, Assessing and Giving Feedback, Handling Difficult Situations, Cross Cultural-Communication, Safety and Time Management skills.
1998- 2003 Gold Coast Drug Council- Drug and Alcohol services/Team Leader Residential Programme.
• Providing psychological services related to assessment and treatment of individuals in programme. Also management of 30 bed residential therapeutic community. The role included overseeing daily running of residential centre and directing clinical (GP’s, nurses, psychiatrists) and non-clinical staff. Individual supervision was provided to psychologists and counsellors regarding interventions and ethical dilemma’s.