Who We Are
Our Team
At Ferrari Consulting Group, each of our specialists holds a minimum qualification of a Master's degree in their field, having completed at least six years of study in psychology. This ensures that our clients have access to clinicians with strong skills in evidence-based practice and who have undertaken specialist postgraduate training and/or supervision within the forensic area of practice.
Our growing team currently comprises 14 psychologists; seven are endorsed Forensic Psychologists, two are endorsed Clinical Psychologists, and five are General Psychologists with expertise and interest in the forensic field.
At times, we also employ provisional psychologists under the direct supervision of our team of endorsed Forensic Psychologists, all of whom are Board-approved supervisors. Provisional Psychologists are in their final year of postgraduate training, having also completed an appropriate Master’s or Doctoral degree in the field of psychology, and are being supervised to ensure that they meet all required competencies for general registration as a psychologist.
We only employ suitably qualified endorsed and general psychologists who have a strong interest in and experience within forensic settings and are committed to undertaking regular professional development and further training.
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Director & Principal Forensic Psychologist
Master of Psychology (Forensic) - Bond University
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology - Bond University
Bachelor of Psychological Science / Bachelor of Criminology and Criminal Justice - Griffith University
Carla is the Director and Principal Forensic Psychologist of Ferrari Consulting Group. She established the practice due to the growing demand for services for forensic clients and her interest in exploring the interface between law and psychology.
With over 15 years of experience, Carla earned her Master’s in Forensic Psychology in 2010. She specialises in providing psychological assessments and reports for courts across Australia in both criminal and family law, as well as for medicolegal compensation cases related to institutional abuse. She also assesses cases for immigration matters. As an expert witness, Carla presents evidence in criminal and family court cases and before the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). She often works with diverse and complex clients in challenging situations.
Carla has developed skills in assessing fitness to stand trial and mental impairment defences, along with various psychometric tools for risk assessment. This includes structured assessments for violence (including family violence), stalking, and sexual offences.
Prior to establishing FCG, Carla was employed as a Senior Psychologist in both the public and private sectors, working within acute psychiatry in the Emergency Department of two busy metropolitan hospitals in Queensland for seven years before commencing private practice. This provided exposure to high-acuity cases and the ability to assess complex mental health presentations and evaluate risks rapidly.
Carla has developed specific expertise in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of adult Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), which has high prevalence in the criminal justice system. She has published research on personality factors associated with traffic offences and on the psychological impact of divorce and custody proceedings on parents.
She has also completed professional development courses in Family Law Counselling and trauma within the Criminal Justice System. She is a Board-approved supervisor to other psychologists and graduates, supporting them to develop and maintain high standards of evidence-based forensic practice.
Carla is a full-time member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (AAPi), the Australian Psychological Society (APS), a Fellow of the APS Forensic College, and holds membership to a number of relevant organizations including Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL) and the Global Institute of Forensic Research (GIFR).
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Forensic Psychologist
BSc (Hons)Forensic Psychology & Criminal Justice - Liverpool John Moores University
MSc in Forensic Psychology - Birmingham City University
Doctorate in Forensic Psychology Practice - University of Nottingham, UK
Dr Dawson is a Forensic Psychologist and has experience working with a range of clients, both in the community and in secure settings. She is trained in the use of a number of psychometric tools and risk assessments and specialises in the assessment of general and violent offenders, cognition and capacity, as well as issues relating to Family Court proceedings.
Hannah has experience of providing assessment and treatment for individuals in secure and community settings, presenting with major mental illness, personality difficulties and developmental disorders. She has accreditation in the use of ACT and CFT and has provided individual and group therapies with CBT and DBT informed approaches. Hannah also has experience in offering consultation to practitioners working with high-risk offenders on Forensic/Correctional Orders, presenting with personality difficulties.
Her doctoral research focused on non-offending partners, personality assessment, and adverse childhood experiences, and she has published in relation to both offenders and victims. Whilst studying for her first degree, she gained criminological experience working as an Appropriate Adult for Youth Support Services and supporting prisoner rights with the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) in the UK.
Hannah works part-time for FCG, undertaking assessments. She spends the remainder of her time working as a therapist in a community setting, delivering interventions, assessments and consultation for individuals presenting with mental health challenges, developmental disorders, and personality difficulties.
She holds full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia, with a Forensic Psychology endorsement. Additionally, she has completed a compulsory transition programme for overseas qualified practitioners, as required by AHPRA. Hannah is also registered as a Forensic Psychology with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK and is a Chartered member of the British Psychological Society - the Division of Forensic Psychology. She is also a member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL), the National Organisation for the Treatment of Abusers (NOTA), and Mersey Care NHS Mental Health Trust.
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Forensic Psychologist
Bachelor of Arts and Science - University of Melbourne
Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology - Bond University
Master of Psychology (Forensic) - Bond University
Laura holds a Masters of Psychology (Forensic) completed in 2010 at Bond University in Queensland and is endorsed as a Forensic Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia.
She has almost 15 years of professional experience working as a Psychologist within the community, high-security forensic inpatient facilities, and mental health services. Laura has experience in providing psychological treatment for both youth and adult clients within custodial settings, particularly those with personality disorders and substance abuse. Laura also has expertise in providing assessment and intervention to a range of clinical and forensic clients within a private practice setting, including the provision of court reports for a range of matters.
Laura has completed training in psychometric assessments relevant to providing structured risk evaluation, including for violence, family violence, sexual offences and stalking; and assessments of cognitive capacity. She has experience working with clients with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Laura also provides professional supervision to provisionally registered psychologists undertaking university courses as well as the 4+2 and 5+1 pathways.
She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law.
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- Master of Psychology (Forensic) - University of New South Wales
- Graduate Diploma of Psychology (Advanced) - Deakin University
- Bachelor of Psychological Science - Deakin University
Shaye is an endorsed Forensic Psychologist with specialised training in the formulation, assessment and treatment of people involved in the criminal justice system. Her practice includes the administration, scoring and interpretation of psychological tools and risk assessments, as well as the preparation of comprehensive forensic reports, and the delivery of criminogenic intervention.
Throughout her career, Shaye has held senior positions in both correctional and community settings, providing assessment and treatment to individuals, groups, and families. Shaye has extensive experience working with adults involved in violent, sexual, and family violence offending, as well as with complex clinical presentations, including personality disorders, substance use disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Shaye has also worked with children and young people who have engaged in, or been victims of, harmful or violent sexual behaviours.
Shaye integrates a range of therapeutic modalities into her practice, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT), Motivational Interviewing (MI), Schema Therapy, and Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR). In addition to her clinical work, Shaye has delivered training to correctional officers in verbal de-escalation techniques and the development of Behavioural Management Plans, and to clinical staff on evidence-based research and practice.
Shaye is a member of the Australian Psychology Society (APS) and serves as a Committee Member of the APS Forensic College
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- Bachelor of Arts (double major psychology and criminology) - Melbourne University
- Honours in Criminology - Monash University
- Postgraduate Diploma of Psychology - Bond University
- Masters of Psychology (Forensic) - Bond University
Miriam has been a Registered Psychologist since 2008 and is currently undertaking the registrar program to gain endorsement as a Forensic Psychologist.
Miriam has extensive experience in forensic psychology, providing independent medico-legal assessments and expert opinion to the courts. She has significant expertise in preparing psychological reports for criminal matters, including serious and violent offences, sexual offences, and institutional abuse claims, as well as personal injury assessments for WorkCover and TAC matters. Miriam is highly experienced in psychometric assessment and risk evaluation and is known for providing clear, balanced, and well-reasoned opinions to support legal decision-making. With over 18 years’ experience in forensic psychology, she brings a calm, professional, and empathetic approach to her work.
In addition to her forensic assessment practice, Miriam has extensive experience delivering evidence-based psychological treatment for trauma-related presentations, mood disorders, and personality disorders. Her therapeutic framework is primarily grounded in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), with further training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Miriam has held registration under the National Redress Scheme for work with victims of institutional abuse and is registered with Medicare, the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), WorkCover, and the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) for victims of crime.
Miriam is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL). She is currently undertaking the registrar program toward endorsement in forensic psychology.
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Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) - University of Queensland
Graduate Diploma in Psychology - Queensland University of Technology
Master of Professional Psychology - University of Southern Queensland
Erin is a registered psychologist with over 14 years of experience in both forensic settings and private practice. Erin has worked for Corrections in a variety of roles, in and out of custody, including delivering individual and group therapy, conducting specialized risk assessments, providing training, and managing therapeutic teams. Erin has also worked in private practice, completing cognitive assessments for adult and youth clients.
Erin has gained specific experience assessing and treating personality issues, sexual offending, violence, problematic behaviour, suicidal and self-harming behaviour, and drug/alcohol addiction; as well as preparing risk assessment reports that focus on understanding criminal and problematic behaviour. She has experience working with a range of clients, including those who present with complex mental health issues and high-harm behaviour. Erin also has specific experience assessing cognitive abilities, diagnosing mental health conditions, and assessing functional capacity, particularly in the context of disability.
Erin has completed advanced training in conducting structured risk evaluations, including those for violent offending, intimate partner and/or family violence, stalking, and sexual offences. Erin is also a Certified Trainer, registered with The Society for the Advancement of Actuarial Risk Needs Assessments (SAARNA), in the Static 99R, Stable 2007, and Acute 2007 risk assessments.
Erin is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and holds full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia. cognitive assessments for adult and youth clients.
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- Bachelor of Behavioural Sciences - La Trobe University, VIC
- Graduate Diploma in Applied Social Psychology - Swinburne Institute, VIC
- Master of Psychology (Forensic) - Monash University, VIC
- Doctor of Philosophy in Forensic Psychology - Bond University, QLD
Dr Ellis-Smith is a highly experienced Forensic Psychologist who has worked across correctional agencies in Victoria and Queensland in both operational and managerial roles. She has developed and implemented criminogenic programs, supervised clinical staff, led project teams, and contributed to whole-of-agency reviews in Papua New Guinea, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. Therese was a member of the Community Corrections Redevelopment team in Victoria and also the 2025 Healthy Prison Review of the Alexander Maconochie Centre in the Australian Capital Territory.
Therese is currently in private practice and prepares medico-legal reports for courts, parole authorities, and other regulatory agencies. She is trained in the administration of specialised instruments assessing sexual and violence risk, firesetting behaviours, personality and criminogenic needs, cognitive functioning and capacity, and mental health diagnoses. Therese has worked extensively with Indigenous clients and community agencies. She has published peer-reviewed articles, lectured in forensic psychology at Bond University, and presented at national conferences. Her PhD thesis focused on arson offences and sentencing trends, and theoretical adjustments within an Indigenous population.
Therese holds full registration with the Psychology Board of Australia with endorsement in Forensic Psychology. She is a full member of the Australian Psychological Society and a Fellow of the College of Forensic Psychologists. She has served on state APS committees and the national Forensic College committee.
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Psychologist
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology/Human Resources - Monash University
Post Graduate Diploma in Addictions - Victoria University
Post Graduate Diploma in Psychology - Swinburne University
Andrea has been a registered psychologist since 2008 and has worked in forensic, community, inpatient, and clinical treatment settings across both public and private sectors. Her specialist focus is on addictions, which includes assessment and treatment services, having worked for 16 years at a residential rehabilitation facility. Andrea has 29 years of experience in the field; before becoming a psychologist, she worked for Corrections as a prison officer in male prisons.
Andrea has gained specific experience in assessing and treating psychiatric disorders, personality issues, and drug/alcohol addiction, as well as preparing psycho-legal reports that focus on addiction-related criminal behaviour. She continues to offer ongoing AOD clinical assessment and treatment-focused supervision to various professionals.
Andrea has completed advanced training in conducting structured risk evaluations, including those for violent offending, intimate partner or family violence, and sexual offences.
Andrea is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi) and the Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and Law (ANZAPPL).
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- Bachelor of Applied Psychology (Hons) – University of Canberra
- Masters of Clinical Psychology – Australian National University
- Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health – Griffith University
- Cert IV in Government Security – Canberra Institute of Technology
- Masters of Terrorism and Security Studies – Charles Sturt University
- Doctor of Philosophy candidate – Australian National University
Felicity has over 20 years of experience and holds endorsement as a Clinical Psychologist. She has worked in senior clinical and leadership positions within acute mental health services, a liaison role between police and mental health, community mental health settings, youth detention, and residential care. Felicity has also provided clinical assessment and treatment services to adults and adolescents in private practice.
Felicity’s experience includes overseeing an operational psychologist capability with an Australian law enforcement agency. She has provided psychological consultation on threat assessment in counterterrorism, communicated threat, stalking, workplace violence, and family violence cases, including cases involving mentally disordered offenders. Felicity has also provided training to law enforcement and mental health services on the identification, assessment, and management of stalking and fixated behaviour.
Felicity is currently undertaking her PhD focusing on young people's involvement in violent extremism.
She is a Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society Clinical College, a member of the Asia Pacific Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (APATAP), a member of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Psychology, Psychiatry and Law (ANZAPPL), and a member of the Investigative Interviewing Research Group (IIRG).
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Psychologist
Bachelor of Psychological Science - La Trobe University
Graduate Diploma of Psychology - Deakin University
Master of Professional Psychology - Cairnmillar Institute
Rebecca specialises in providing psycholegal assessments and reports for the Court and conducting comprehensive structured risk assessments and treatment recommendations for general, sexual, and violent offenders. She works with all ages across the lifespan including youth offending. Rebecca most commonly conducts psychological assessments and reports involving a range of complexities including mental illness, trauma, substance use issues and problem behaviours.
She also has experience working in a counselling setting, with a range of demographics across the lifespan. Her clients within the counselling setting most commonly present with substance use disorders, trauma, depression, anxiety, ADHD and a range of other psychological disorders. She has experience in providing individual and group interventions in both clinical and forensic settings.
Rebecca has extensive experience with cognitive assessments and psychological interventions including CBT, DBT and ACT.
Rebecca holds full registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and she is a member of the Australian Psychological Society.
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Psychologist
Bachelor of Psychological Science - Australian Catholic University
Graduate Diploma of Psychology - Federation University
Master of Professional Psychology - Cairnmillar Institute
Jane is a registered psychologist with extensive expertise in conducting assessments and preparing treatment completion reports for the forensic population. She has experience providing both individual and group psychological interventions in forensic and clinical settings.
Having worked in correctional facilities, Jane has received specialised training in facilitating Offending Behaviour Programmes (OBP), addressing issues related to violent and sexual offending, as well as offences involving alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Her treatment experience includes working closely with offenders who have histories of violence, problematic behaviours, personality disorders, sexual offences, and suicidal or self-harm tendencies. She has also provided interventions to non-offending populations, addressing a range of mental health issues from mild to complex.
Furthermore, Jane has provided critical incident response services across Australia in large first responder settings and delivered presentations on various mental health topics to targeted groups. She has also been involved in organisational selection processes, using psychometric assessments to identify suitable candidates for specific roles. Her skills include administering, scoring, and interpreting various psychological tools and risk assessments, as well as report writing for forensic risk assessments and psychological interventions.
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Psychologist
Bachelor of Psychology - Deakin University
Master of Counselling - Monash University
Alessia is a registered psychologist with experience in conducting forensic risk assessments and providing individual and group psychological interventions in both forensic and clinical settings.
Alessia has previously worked in prison settings as well as in private practice. She has experience in facilitating Offending Behaviour Programs (OBP), including those for violent and sexual offences, as well as offences related to alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Moreover, Alessia’s experience in providing treatment has included working individually with offenders who have a history of violence, problematic behaviours, personality disorders, sexual offences, and suicidal or self-harming behaviours. Treatment is provided on both a voluntary basis and as mandated by bail conditions or correctional orders.
Alessia also has experience in the administration, scoring, and interpretation of various psychological tools and risk assessments, along with report writing for both forensic risk assessments and psychological interventions. She has provided crisis intervention and critical incident response in custody, as well as individual psychological intervention to clients both in and out of custody.
Alessia is available for forensic treatment for individuals who are at risk or involved in the criminal justice system. She also supports clients dealing with stress and mental health issues related to various legal matters, including Family Court proceedings, a history of institutional abuse, or immigration issues such as deportation. Additionally, Alessia works with victims of crime to help them overcome trauma and other psychological distress associated with their experiences.
She is registered with the Psychology Board of Australia and is a member of the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc. (AAPI).
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Forensic Psychologist
Bachelor of Science (Psychology) First Class Honours - Australian National University
Master of Psychology (Forensic) - University of New South Wales
Naomi holds full registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and endorsement as a Forensic Psychologist. She is also a member of the Australian Psychological Society.
Naomi specialises in providing psycholegal assessments and reports for the court and conducting comprehensive risk assessments and treatment recommendations for general, sexual, and violent offenders.
Naomi has received specialised training in the formulation, assessment and treatment of forensic clientele, including advanced interviewing and intervention techniques, report writing and expert testimony skills, the law provisions and policies relevant to different forensic settings, and in the preparation, administration, scoring and interpretation of many psychological tools and risk assessments.
Naomi has forensic experience in providing assessment and treatment for individuals in custodial and community settings with a history of violence, serious mental illness, problem behaviours and personality disorders, and suicidal or self-harm behaviours, many of whom are on involuntary treatment or correctional orders. She has experience in conducting mental health assessments, risk assessments, cognitive assessments, parenting capacity and medicolegal assessments, and brief and comprehensive mental health reports for the Court.
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Clinical Psychologist
Bachelor of Behavioural Science (Psych)(Hons) / Laws LLB(Hons) - Queensland University of Technology
Masters of Clinical Psychology - Queensland University of Technology
Courtney holds a Master of Clinical Psychology and has additionally completed her Bachelor of Laws. She is registered as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia and has completed further training and supervision to be recognised as an endorsed Clinical Psychologist. Courtney has specialised clinical training in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and treatment planning of mental health, behavioural, and emotional disorders, and her background in law is useful in understanding how this can have legal implications within a forensic population.
Courtney has a background working in psycho-legal settings as a Psychologist and Advocate due to her original qualification in law. She has worked as a Psychologist in private practice and community settings supporting people with complex and severe mental illnesses. She has also recently worked as a Disability Royal Commission Advocate at a Community Legal Centre for people with disabilities, where she supported people with psychosocial disabilities to engage with the Disability Royal Commission.
Courtney is trained in the provision of psychometric assessments, risk assessments, and treatment recommendations for people across the lifespan. She has extensive experience working with people from diverse backgrounds. She has worked in services specialising in support of LGBTIQ+ and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, with a focus on managing suicide risk and self-harm. She also has extensive experience with adolescents and people from rural and remote backgrounds. She brings a strong understanding of the impacts of trauma, intergenerational disadvantage, and minority stress on vulnerability to mental illness which can impact offending.
Courtney has extensive experience providing psychological treatment interventions in clinical settings. She is experienced working with people with a range of presentations, including trauma-related conditions, mood disorders, psychosis, substance use disorders, personality disorders, psychosomatic conditions, neurodiversity and dual diagnoses.
She is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (MAPS) and the Australian Psychological Society.