Addiction assessment and sentencing reports for legal professionals

Overview

Above & Beyond prepares independent addiction and behavioural-health reports to support lawyers, courts and clients navigating sentencing or community-based outcomes. Reports are grounded in behavioural science, clinical experience and an understanding of realistic treatment pathways.

Who this is for

• Lawyers preparing sentencing submissions who require an independent addiction assessment.
• Clients navigating sentencing or community-based outcomes where addiction is a relevant factor.
• Courts requiring a clear, independent understanding of an individual's circumstances and treatment options.

What support may include

• A biopsychosocial case formulation explaining the developmental, psychological, social and life-course factors that contributed to addiction.
• Identification of steps the client has already taken to address addiction and move toward recovery.
• An assessment of current circumstances, strengths, risks and available options.
• A recommended forward recovery pathway matched to needs and realistically available services.
• Practical rehabilitation input at the relevant stage of the matter.

Why instruct Above & Beyond

• More than six years of clinical experience in addiction treatment, including lead-clinician experience within a private residential facility.
• Case formulations grounded in developmental history, helping the Court understand the individual — not merely a sequence of events.
• Working relationships with residential and community treatment providers, supporting realistic and achievable recommendations.
• Independent and impartial reporting, informed by practical knowledge of alcohol and other drug evidence in sentencing and community-sentence contexts.
• Experience supporting legal-aid funding applications for report costs.

Qualifications & professional standing

• Level 7 Bachelor's Degree in Applied Addiction.
• Provisional member, New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) — full membership upgrade in progress.
• Professional indemnity insurance in place.