Domestic Violence & Coercive Control
Expert Psychological Assessments for Court and Legal Proceedings
Domestic violence and coercive control can have profound psychological and relational consequences for adults and children. Expert assessment helps the court understand:
The pattern and severity of abuse
The emotional and trauma-related impact
Current and future risk
The implications for parenting and child contact
This work often overlaps with Parental Capacity Assessments and Child Development & Attachment Assessments.
Situational Conflict vs Coercive Control
Not all conflict has the same meaning. Psychological assessment distinguishes between:
Situational conflict – arguments or incidents that do not form a pattern of ongoing control
Coercive control – repeated behaviours aimed at dominating, isolating, or frightening a partner
Patterns of coercive control can include:
Threats, intimidation, or stalking
Financial control and restriction of access to work or education
Isolation from family, friends, or community
Monitoring, harassment, or control of day-to-day decisions
The assessment focuses on these patterns over time, not just on single incidents.
Psychological Impact and Risk
Key areas explored include:
Trauma-related symptoms such as hypervigilance, flashbacks, or avoidance
Anxiety, depression, and the impact on self-esteem and decision-making
The victim’s sense of safety, trust, and autonomy
How fear, economic dependence, or cultural factors influence choices
In the context of family proceedings, the assessment also looks at how abuse affects parenting, including:
Capacity to protect children
Emotional availability when the parent is traumatised
Ongoing risk where abuse continues post-separation, including via contact arrangements
Assessment Methods
A range of methods are used, such as:
Trauma-focused clinical interviews
Validated measures for PTSD, anxiety, and depression
Specialist screening tools for domestic abuse and coercive control
Review of police, social care, and medical records where available
The work is completed within a trauma-informed framework to support emotional safety during and after assessment.
Impact on Children
Children may:
Witness or overhear abusive incidents
Be used as a means of control or manipulation
Show trauma-related behaviours or emotional difficulties
The assessment links the pattern of abuse to the child’s symptoms, behaviour, and attachment relationships. It may be combined with Child Development & Attachment work to give the court a fuller picture.
Safeguarding, Contact, and Future Risk
The final report addresses:
Current and future risk to the adult and child
The likelihood of abuse continuing or escalating after separation
The safety of different contact arrangements
The support or interventions each parent may need
Recommendations might include supervised or supported contact, structured changes in arrangements, or in some cases, no direct contact where risk cannot be managed safely.
Instruction and Contact
Dr Aisha Ali accepts instructions from solicitors, local authorities, guardians, and courts across the UK. Assessments can be arranged within agreed timescales, with urgent cases accommodated where possible.
Referrals are handled securely and confidentially in line with data protection and court protocol.
Contact:
For instructions or enquiries, please use the secure contact form or email provided on this site.
CONTACT
Phone: 0044 7508 161794
Email: draisha.f.ali@gmail.com
Address: Dr Aisha Ali
F04 1st Floor Knightrider House,
Knightrider Street, Maidstone, United Kingdom,
ME15 6LU
