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Medico-legal Psychiatric Assessment​s

Specialists in Complex Abuse Matters

At MindSense Canada, we are trusted providers of medico-legal psychiatric assessments, with a focus on complex, trauma-related cases, including those involving historical abuse, personal injury, and civil litigation. Our select panel of highly experienced, Canadian-licensed psychiatrists deliver clear, objective, and trauma-informed assessments that meet the sensitive nature of these matters and the specific needs of legal professionals, insurers, and government agencies.

mindsense assessment

Our Areas of Expertise

MindSense consultants are experts in assessing a wide range of abuse-related matters, including

Historical Sexual Abuse

Institutional
Abuse

Emotional
Abuse

Physical
Abuse

Sexual
Abuse

Elder
Abuse

Child
Abuse

Associated Secondary Conditions

Complex Psychological Trauma

Other Specialties

MindSense offers access to a wide range of specialists, including psychiatrists, psychologists, gastroenterologists, paediatricians, plastic and reconstructive surgeons, urologists, and more. Our diverse expertise ensures comprehensive assessments tailored to the unique needs of each case.

Trauma-Informed Training

At MindSense, we recognize that working with trauma-affected individuals requires specialized skills and understanding. In addition to our assessments, we offer trauma-informed care training for medical experts, legal professionals, referrers, and teams. Our tailored training programs provide practical tools and strategies to:

  • Understand trauma and its effects.
  • Minimise re-traumatization during survivor interactions.
  • Embed trauma-informed principles into daily practices.
  • Improve survivor engagement with sensitive, empathetic communication.

 

This training empowers teams to work more effectively with vulnerable individuals and enhances overall service delivery.

Learn More

Why Choose MindSense?

Survivor-Focused Assessments

Our assessments are designed with the survivor at the centre - while maintaining forensic rigour to support clear, defensible legal outcomes.

Trauma-Informed Excellence

We apply a gold-standard trauma-informed approach that respects the individual and enhances the quality and credibility of the medico-legal process.

Reports That Hold Weight

Our reports are clear, thorough, and built on deep subject matter expertise - designed to stand up in legal settings and support sound decision-making.

Expert Case Matching

We match each case with the most appropriate expert from our highly experienced panel of trauma specialists, ensuring precision and relevance in every report.

Specialized Service Team

Our expert team supports every step of the process, helping legal professionals efficiently navigate complex trauma cases with outcome-driven support.

Nationwide Access & Telehealth

With assessors across Canada and secure telehealth options, we offer reliable access to trauma expertise - wherever your case may be.

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Seamless Service Delivery

MindSense makes the medico-legal process streamlined and accessible:

  • Expert Matching – Individuals are paired with the right expert based on clinical fit, cultural considerations, and any required accommodations.
  • Availability – We coordinate assessments based on when the individual is ready and able to participate.
  • Flexible Delivery – Assessments are available in-person at clinics or via secure telehealth, depending on preference and location.
  • Simple Booking – Our team handles scheduling and communication, making the process smooth and stress-free.
  • Consistent Follow-Through – We provide clear guidance and support throughout every stage of the assessment process.
  • Timely, Trauma-Informed Reports – Detailed, high-quality reports are delivered on time and tailored to legal or medical needs.

The Role of Our Psychiatric Assessments in Legal Proceedings

For survivors, legal professionals, and insurance claimants navigating complex mental health issues, psychiatric assessments play a crucial role in supporting fair and informed legal outcomes. At MindSense, our medico-legal psychiatric assessments are carefully structured to evaluate the psychological impact of trauma, mental illness, or psychiatric conditions within the context of legal proceedings.

Our assessments provide accurate insight into an individual’s mental health in the context of historical sexual or institutional abuse. These evaluations support decisions related to compensation, liability, capacity, or credibility, and are essential medico-legal reports.

What Our Psychiatric Evaluations Assess

Each psychiatric assessment at MindSense is conducted by a medical doctor specialising in psychiatry. These assessments examine a broad range of mental health conditions and contributing factors, including:

  • Psychiatric history and diagnoses (e.g., major depressive disorder, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, ADHD)
  • Medical records and family history of mental illness
  • Substance use and its effects on mental functioning
  • Cognitive capacity through tools like the mini mental state examination
  • Social determinants of mental health (e.g., trauma, abuse, socioeconomic context)
  • Psychological impact of injury or illness
  • Patient’s ability to engage with daily life, work, or treatment


This comprehensive approach ensures we deliver accurate assessments tailored to legal standards.

Trusted Support for Abuse Claims

As experienced medico-legal psychiatrists, we deliver comprehensive psychiatric IMEs that evaluate psychiatric injuries resulting from historical sexual, institutional or elder abuse.

Each psychiatric IME is designed to meet the specific requirements of insurers, solicitors, or courts—ensuring clarity, objectivity, and legal relevance.

Medico-Legal Assessments for Historical Abuse Cases

MindSense has a national reputation for handling sensitive cases involving institutional, historical, or sexual abuse. Our team has extensive experience delivering psychiatric reports aligned with the standards of the National Redress Scheme and civil litigation frameworks.

Through our trauma-informed approach, we focus on reducing re-traumatisation and ensuring each assessment is conducted with care, respect, and clinical integrity. These evaluations often assess psychiatric impairment, long-term trauma, and the psychological impact of abuse on an individual’s life and mental health.

How We Deliver Our Medico-Legal Assessments

Our flexible delivery model allows assessments to be conducted:

  • Face-to-face in a safe setting
  • Via telehealth, ensuring access for rural or mobility-constrained individuals


With national coverage and a streamlined service model, we make psychiatric assessments more accessible and less stressful—while ensuring every report is grounded in clinical decision-making and legal relevance.

Woman talking therapy in-person
mindsense expert evaluation

The MindSense Difference

At MindSense, we know that a clear, compassionate, and legally robust mental health assessment can make all the difference in the outcome of a legal or insurance matter. Our team combines deep psychiatric expertise with a trauma-informed approach to ensure that every report is fit-for-purpose. From initial consultation to final report, we are committed to delivering clarity, care, and confidence throughout the medico-legal process.

  • Experienced Consultants: Mental health professionals who are experts in medico-legal psychiatry
  • Comprehensive Process: Every psychiatric assessment is tailored to legal needs, evaluating relevant information, medical history, and mental status
  • Evidence-Ready Reports: Clear and robust reports
  • Compassion-First Approach: Trauma-informed practice embedded in every step, ensuring the dignity and well-being of each individual assessed

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a medico-legal psychiatrist?

A medico-legal psychiatrist is a medical specialist who provides psychiatric assessments and reports for legal purposes. These assessments help determine the impact of mental health conditions on legal cases, including personal injury claims, family disputes, criminal matters, and historical abuse cases. At MindSense Psychiatry, our psychiatrists approach every assessment with expertise, sensitivity, and an understanding of the legal complexities involved.

What services does MindSense Psychiatry offer?

MindSense Psychiatry provides medico-legal psychiatric assessments for individuals involved in legal proceedings, including independent psychiatric assessments for insurance claims, compensation disputes, and forensic evaluations. We also offer online psychiatric assessments through secure telehealth platforms, ensuring accessibility for clients unable to attend in person. Additionally, our specialists provide psychiatric reports for courts, delivering expert analysis on mental health conditions and their relevance to legal cases. Our psychiatry expert witness services support legal professionals by offering independent, evidence-based opinions in court. For those affected by trauma, we also conduct assessments for childhood trauma, focusing on historical abuse cases with professionalism and compassion.

When do you need a psychiatrist medico-legal report

A medico-legal report is essential when a legal case requires an expert psychiatric opinion. These reports are commonly needed in personal injury cases, workplace compensation claims, criminal trials, family court matters, and cases of historical, institutional, and sexual abuse. Our psychiatrists provide independent, evidence-based assessments to support legal professionals, insurers, and individuals navigating complex legal processes.

Why choose MindSense Psychiatry for medico-legal psychiatric assessments?

MindSense Psychiatry is a trusted provider of medico-legal psychiatry services across Australia. Our team of experts delivers independent, trauma-informed psychiatric assessments that are legally robust and professionally conducted. We ensure that each psychiatrist medico-legal report is clear, well-documented, and tailored to the unique legal and medical complexities of every case. With a nationwide network of specialists, we provide accessible, high-quality assessments that support individuals, legal professionals, and insurers.

Locations

MindSense Canada offers appointments nationwide, both online and at our clinic locations:

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Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that we are operating on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of Indigenous Peoples across Canada. We are grateful to live and work on these lands, and we recognize the enduring presence of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples.

 

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