Psychological reports that give the court the full picture of your client.
I have 18 years' experience preparing expert witness reports, including Section 10 and diversion to treatment (Section 14) reports, for New South Wales courts. My style is concise, but gives a full and detailed picture of the client's life for the court. Although I deal with a range of issues and first offences, I have a special interest in drug and alcohol problems. I have extensive experience in drug and alcohol research, having written two books and several other publications, and I also know the treatment landscape for clients.
A psychological report can help the court see the full picture — not just the charge.
If your lawyer has raised the idea of a psychological assessment, or you're weighing up your options, Saul Gerber has around 18 years' experience preparing these reports for NSW courts.
This page covers two audiences — pick the one that's you.
What a psychological report actually does
A report doesn't argue the facts of your case — your lawyer does that. What it does is give the court a fuller picture of you: what led up to the offence, what's changed since, and how you're placed to move forward. Depending on your matter, that can support the court in considering a Section 10 outcome (no conviction recorded), a Section 9B outcome, or — in some cases — a Section 14 mental health diversion before the matter even proceeds.
The assessment is a normal, one-on-one clinical conversation — about your background, what happened, and what's changed since. There's no right or wrong way to answer, and it's not an interrogation: it's there to give the court context alongside your lawyer's own case.
Fees & turnaround
Assessment and preparation of a comprehensive report, with a usual turnaround of within 10 business days (about two weeks), subject to receiving the necessary documentation.
For an approaching court date: a five-business-day service, subject to appointment availability and receipt of the necessary documentation.
Fees include the clinical assessment, review of supplied documentation and preparation of the report. Any additional work outside this scope — including substantial supplementary material, addendum reports or court attendance — is discussed separately.
A clear, credible picture for the court — delivered on time
A brief, obligation-free discussion, first
A short, no-cost conversation about the client and the charges before any formal referral — there's no obligation to proceed afterwards.
18 years in exactly this work
In-depth reports, including extensive knowledge of the drug and alcohol landscape and treatment options, for first offenders and people with mental health impairments.
One psychologist, start to finish
Your client sees the same clinician for assessment and report — no hand-offs to junior staff, and a direct line back to Saul Gerber if the lawyer needs anything clarified.
People choose Saul Gerber because he's straightforward, transparent, and has a warm, down-to-earth style
A brief, obligation-free conversation
You're welcome to ask questions first — about the process, the cost, or whether a report is likely to be relevant to your matter — before committing to anything.
18 years' experience, including ADF work
Reports are prepared by one clinical psychologist with particular depth in drug and alcohol-related matters — not passed between junior staff.
No surprises on price
Standard and urgent fees are set out upfront and cover the full assessment and report — see Fees & turnaround above.
A respectful, non-judgmental process
The assessment is treated like any clinical psychology appointment — private, and focused on understanding your circumstances, not judging them.
Not a report mill — a clinical background in exactly this
"One size never fits all. Each person brings a unique set of experiences to the therapy."
Saul Gerber trained through Macquarie University (BA Psych, PG Dip Psych, MA Counselling/Clinical Psych) and completed specialist clinical training through the APS bridging program. He has around 18 years' experience as a psychologist, including extensive work with Australian Defence Force personnel and in private practice.
Earlier in his career, Saul worked at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC), co-authoring two books and several peer-reviewed papers on cannabis and other drug dependence — the same clinical grounding now applied to drug and alcohol-related court matters.
Peer-reviewed work on drug & alcohol dependence
- Copeland, J., Gerber, S., Dillon, P., Swift, W. (2006) — Cannabis: Your Questions Answered, Australian National Council on Drugs. Book
- Copeland, J., Gerber, S., Swift, W. (2004) — Evidence-Based Answers to Cannabis Questions: A Review of the Literature, Australian National Council on Drugs. Book
- Lawrinson, P., Copeland, J., Gerber, S., Gilmour, S. (2007) — Determining a cut-off on the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS) for alcohol dependence. Addictive Behaviors, 32, 1474–1479
- Copeland, J., Gerber, S., Rowland, B., Klyde-Kingshot, E. (2005) — Current evidence evaluated: Cannabis. Prevention Research Quarterly, No. 14, pp. 1–28
- Lawrinson, P., Gerber, S., Copeland, J., Indig, D. (2003) — The Brief Treatment Outcome Measure: Detoxification, Rehabilitation & Counselling (BTOM) Manual. NDARC Technical Report No. 165
Could this matter suit a Section 10 report?
A quick, non-binding read on your situation — not a clinical or legal opinion. Answer based on what you know so far; a brief, obligation-free discussion fills in the rest.
Three steps, from first contact to your court date
Talk to your lawyer, or reach out directly
If you already have a solicitor, they can make the referral. If you'd like to ask questions first, you're welcome to get in touch directly.
Assessment
A confidential, one-on-one appointment — usually in person in Randwick — covering your history and the circumstances of the matter.
Report prepared
Usually ready within 10 business days (5 for urgent matters), and provided to you and your lawyer ahead of your court date.
Before you get in touch
Will a report guarantee a certain result?
Is the assessment confidential?
What does it cost?
I don't have a lawyer yet — can I still get in touch?
What should I bring to the assessment?
Where do assessments happen?
Discuss a matter with Saul Gerber directly
Call or email with the offence, the court date, and any context that matters — a brief, obligation-free discussion will follow before your client is asked to commit to anything.
Ask about a psychological report for your matter
Whether you already have a court date or you're just weighing up your options, reach out for a confidential, obligation-free conversation.