• Addiction Medicine
• Adoptions
• Alcohol Abuse
• Brain Injury
• Child Custody
• Child Psychology
• Competency
• Criminology
• Disability
• Drug Abuse
• Forensic Psychiatry
• Forensic Psychology
• Malingering
• Neurodevelopmental Disorder/Disability
• Neuropsychology
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Psychiatry
• Psychology
• Sanity/Competency to Stand Trial
• Sexual Abuse
• Sexual Addiction
• Sexual Harassment/Discrimination
• Spousal Abuse
• Stalking
• Suicide
• Testamentary Capacity
• Undue Influence

Q: Please list your professional accreditations, degrees, licenses, and certificates granted:

A: I am a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist. I hold a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. I have been licensed in the state of California as a Psychologist since 1986 and a licensed Marriage, Family and Child Counselor since 1979. I have pre and post doctoral experience as a Forensic Psychologist, a Child Custody Evaluator, am an Addiction and Substance Abuse Specialist and a Neuropsychologist. I am enrolled in on-going continuing educational and training programs. I am also credentialed as a Mediator, and am on the Editorial Board of several Journals in Forensic and Clinical Psychology.

Q: Please list your affiliations or memberships in any professional and/or industry organizations:

A: I am a member of the American Psychological Association (Division of Psychology and Law), California Psychological Association, a Diplomate with the American College of Forensic Examiners, American Society of Addiction Medicine, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts and the Los Angeles County Bar Association, Los Angeles County Family Law Association, and Beverly Hills Bar Association, Editorial Board- Journal of Addiction Medicine and Therapy, Editorial Board- Journal of Forensic Research and Criminology, Editorial Board- Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology, Family Dynamics Assistance Center (FDAC)
Panel of Government Appointed Civilian Experts for the Military in US and Overseas.

Q: Please list any teaching or speaking experience you have had, including subject matter:

A: I was an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Southern California for nine years in the schools of clinical and counseling psychology, teaching graduate students only. I taught theories of psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, Object-Relations Theory and Psychoanalysis, Psychological Testing, Practicum, Psychopathology, and headed up the Internship Program for two years.

I have had a variety of public speaking experiences from speaking to attorneys and psychologists at different conferences and expert-led panels on Parental Alienation, Custody and Visitation, Domestic Violence and Abuse, Sexual Abuse (how to recognize it and interview for it), Substance Abuse in Families, and working with High Profile and High conflict families. In addition I have spoken at conferences and meetings on Childhood Sexual Abuse, Risks and Recidivism in Sex Offenders, Evaluating for first time allegations of sexual abuse, Addiction and Recovery in Families, PTSD, as well as Assessing for Traumatic Brain Injuries.

Q: On how many occasions have you been retained as an expert?

A: I have been retained as an Expert Witness on over 1500 cases in Family Court, Civil Court, Criminal Court and Military Court over the last 30 years.

Q: For what area(s) of expertise have you been retained as an expert?

A: Custody and visitation issues (including my acting as an expert to re-evaluate another child custody evaluator's report and recommendations), parental alienation cases, child-parent reunification therapy, domestic violence and abuse, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, substance abuse and treatment plan, the ability to stand trial/legal sanity, wrongful life cases, brain damage cases as a result of an accident or injury, worker's compensation evaluations and repressed/false memory cases..

Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the plaintiff?

A: 60 - 70 percent

Q: In what percentage of your cases were you retained by the defendant?

A: about 30%

Q: On how many occasions have you had your deposition taken?

A: At least 1000

Q: When was the last time you had your deposition taken?

A: September 2024

Q: On how many occasions have you been qualified by a court to give expert testimony?

A: Close to 1000

Q: On how many occasions have you testified as an expert in court or before an arbitrator?

A: Approximately 1000

Q: For how many years have you worked with the legal industry as an expert?

A: Since 1986

Q: What services do you offer? (E.g.: consulting, testing, reports, site inspections etc.)

A: Dr. Berkowitz specializes in forensic psychology, neuropsychology and clinical/diagnostic assessment and evaluations. Dr. Berkowitz has served as an expert witness in hundreds of court cases within the California Superior Courts and Nationally. Her consultation and expert testimony expertise included addressing legal questions pertinent to parenting difficulties, mental disability, violence and sex offender risk assessment, persuasive development disorders, head injury, neuropsychological functioning, cognitive ability, psychological/emotional damages, sex offenses for Family Law, Criminal and Civil Court. Dr. Berkowitz also provides litigation consultation to attorneys regarding various psychological and parenting issues, some of which include: Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing, Child Custody Evaluations (Full 730, Solution Focused, Brief Assessment and 733 Re-evaluations), Expert Witness testimony, Site Inspections, Home evaluations, School Evaluations and Visits, Reports, Declarations, and consultations with other professional involved on a case when appropriate. Dr. Berkowitz travels nationally and internationally to evaluate parties and sites and to testify when needed. She does extensive interviews on all cases and typically audio and visually record the investigation sessions (with consents when needed). Dr. Berkowitz's reports are very detailed and are designed to be easily read, with as much information as needed to support the resulting opinion with and detailed recommendations to follow. She is highly valued and respected by the courts and is nationally recognized expert.

Q: What is your hourly rate to consult with an attorney?

A: Negotiable. On average $400 per hour.

Q: What is your hourly rate to review documents?

A: Call for rates. Depending upon the complexity of the case, rates are negotiable upon retainer.

Q: What is your hourly rate to provide deposition testimony?

A: $750.00 with a four hour minimum

Q: What is your hourly rate to provide testimony at trial?

A: I do not have an hourly rate for trial. I charge $4000.00 per 1/2 day and $5000.00 per full day. All trial dates must be booked at least two weeks in advance. I take a $10,000.00 retainer at the beginning of a case, and then depending on the case, I will either ask to have it refilled before it is used up or I will bill monthly up until a trial date is set. I do ask to be paid for trial days seven days before I am expected to testify. I also maintain a 72 hour cancellation policy with regard to all trial appearances and a 48 hour cancellation policy for any other appointment.

Q: Please list any fees other than those stated above (E.g.: travel expenses, copy fees, etc.)

A: Depending upon the complexity of the case, rates are negotiable. I do charge for travel time, all fees for travel out of town including flying business class, hotel fees, etc. There is a one time administrative fee for my assistant of $375.00 per case, which includes copying, and any work that she will have to do specifically for the case. Should I believe I need my assistant for an additional work, I will discuss this with the attorney immediately. It does not occur often, but there have been a few cases that I have had to travel out of the country and have needed an assistant with me. This was discussed and understood and the client paid for both of our travel expenses. I am always reasonable to work with and am conscious of the costs when I have to travel for a case. Depending upon the complexity of the case, rates are negotiable.

References Upon Request