Forensic Sexology and
Forensic Psychosexual Therapy 

What is forensic sexology?

Forensic sexology is an interdisciplinary field concerned with sexual behaviour at the intersection of clinical practice, psychological formulation, potential harm, risk and the law. In my practice, it brings together psychosexual psychotherapy, structured assessment and an evidence-informed understanding of sexual development and behaviour to consider how difficulties have developed, their wider context and the individual’s treatment needs.

 

Three distinct services:

Forensic psychosexual therapy

Confidential therapeutic work for people who want to understand and change sexual behaviour, interests or patterns that may be problematic, harmful or associated with risk. This is treatment—not an independent assessment or opinion for legal proceedings.​​

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Independent psychosexual assessment

A structured assessment of sexual behaviour, psychological functioning, relational context and treatment needs. The purpose and limits of the assessment are agreed before work begins.

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Reports for legal proceedings

Reports may be prepared where a formal written instruction has been accepted. The report addresses clearly defined questions within my professional competence and is kept separate from any ongoing therapeutic relationship.

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Presentations considered

Work may involve complex or sensitive presentations including:

• Sexual behaviour involving risk, consent or boundary concerns

• Problematic or illegal online sexual behaviour

• Compulsive sexual behaviour associated with escalating risk

• Sexual interests that are causing concern or may be harmful

• Histories of, or allegations relating to, sexual offending

• Psychological, developmental and relational factors relevant to treatment needs

 

The presence of an allegation, concern or referral does not determine what has occurred. The purpose and scope of the work are clarified in each case.

 

What an assessment can, and cannot, determine

A psychosexual assessment can:

• Describe the information and reported history provided

• Identify relevant patterns in sexual behaviour and psychological functioning

• Develop a psychotherapeutic formulation

• Consider relational, developmental and contextual factors

• Identify treatment needs and factors relevant to engagement or change

• Make recommendations within the agreed scope of instruction

 

An assessment cannot establish the truth of a disputed allegation, determine guilt or innocence, guarantee future behaviour or replace decisions made by a court or statutory authority. Any conclusions are limited by the available evidence, the agreed instructions and the boundaries of my professional competence.

 

The limits of psychotherapeutic formulation

A psychotherapeutic formulation is a clinically reasoned understanding of how psychological, developmental, sexual and relational factors may contribute to a person’s behaviour and treatment needs. It is not automatically equivalent to a psychiatric diagnosis, formal actuarial risk assessment, statutory risk management or a determination of guilt or innocence.

 

Independent expert and treating-clinician roles

I accept instructions in two distinct professional roles.

 

As an independent expert, I may undertake an assessment and provide an impartial opinion within my professional competence. My overriding responsibility is to the court or tribunal, rather than to the person being assessed or the party providing the instruction.

 

As a treating clinician, I may provide a factual report describing the therapy undertaken, relevant information available to me and the person’s engagement or progress. A treating-clinician report is not automatically an independent expert opinion.

 

These roles are kept separate. I do not combine an independent forensic assessment with an ongoing therapeutic relationship involving the same person.

 

The instruction and assessment process

For independent assessments and reports for legal proceedings, the usual process is:

1. Initial enquiry
   A solicitor or other authorised professional provides a brief outline of the case, the purpose of the proposed assessment and any relevant deadline.

2. Conflict and role check
   I consider potential conflicts of interest, any previous clinical involvement and whether the requested work falls within my professional competence.

3. Letter of instruction
   A formal letter of instruction must define the questions to be addressed, the intended use of the report and the relevant legal context.

4. Documents
   Required materials may include statements, previous reports, relevant clinical or medical records, court documents and other evidence necessary to understand the case. Documents must be transferred securely.

5. Assessment interviews
   The number and format of interviews depend on the referral questions, available evidence and complexity of the case. This is agreed before the assessment begins.

6. Report scope
   The report addresses the questions in the letter of instruction, identifies the information relied upon and clearly states any limitations or areas outside my competence.

7. Timescale and fees
   The anticipated timescale, assessment structure, report fee and any additional costs are confirmed before the instruction is accepted.

 

Fees for independent assessments and reports typically range from £500 to £3,000, depending on the scope and reporting requirements. The anticipated fee and any additional costs will be confirmed before an instruction is accepted.

 

Discuss a Professional or Legal Instruction

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Relevant professional experience

I am a UKCP-registered psychotherapist and COSRT-accredited psychosexual and relationship psychotherapist and clinical sexologist. My previous roles include Clinical Lead and Therapy Services Manager, and my clinical experience spans specialist psychiatric practice, compulsive sexual behaviour, trauma, addiction and complex sexual or behavioural presentations.

 

I am Chair of COSRT and Founder and Director of the Institute of Psychosexual Psychotherapy, where I lead the development of postgraduate education in forensic sexology.

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Related clinical services

Compulsive Sexual Behaviour for confidential therapeutic work addressing repetitive or harmful sexual behaviour, problematic pornography use, secrecy and associated relationship difficulties

Psychotherapy for broader individual work involving trauma, emotional distress, shame, attachment and psychological complexity

These are treatment services and remain separate from independent forensic assessment and reports for legal proceedings.​​

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