Witness and Case Consultation Services

MindfulCo Inc. provides expert-witness, case-consultation, record-review, and litigation-support services for attorneys, Guardians ad Litem, courts, agencies, and other authorized professionals throughout South Carolina.

Services are led by Jessica Peña-Cabana, PsyD, PhD, LPC-S, LAC, a bilingual forensic evaluator, expert witness, clinical supervisor, and behavioral-health consultant with more than 20 years of clinical, supervisory, assessment, educational, and program-leadership experience.

Dr. Peña-Cabana assists legal professionals in understanding complex clinical records, behavioral-health findings, evaluation methods, family dynamics, trauma-related concerns, and other issues within her education, training, experience, licensure, and professional scope.

Request a Case Consultation

Expert Witness Services

Expert-witness services may be available when specialized behavioral-health knowledge can assist a court, attorney, agency, or other authorized decision-maker.

Depending on the matter and the professional role requested, services may include:

Independent review of clinical, behavioral-health, and evaluation records
Review of reports prepared by other professionals
Evaluation of the methods, data, and reasoning supporting an existing opinion
Identification of strengths, limitations, inconsistencies, and unanswered questions
Consultation regarding assessment methods and interpretation
Explanation of diagnoses, symptoms, functional limitations, and treatment considerations
Deposition and trial preparation
Preparation for direct and cross-examination
Expert affidavits or declarations when appropriate
Deposition testimony
Hearing or trial testimony
Clear explanation of complex findings for judges, attorneys, juries, and other decision-makers

Acceptance of an expert-witness engagement depends on the referral question, available information, applicable deadlines, potential conflicts, and whether the requested opinions fall within Dr. Peña-Cabana’s professional competence and scope.

Attorney Case Consultation

An attorney may need professional consultation without requesting an independent evaluation or testimony.

Case consultation can help counsel:

Understand behavioral-health records and terminology
Identify clinically important information within extensive records
Evaluate whether an existing report adequately addresses the referral question
Examine whether conclusions are supported by the information documented in the report
Identify limitations, missing information, or alternative explanations
Understand the purpose and limitations of assessment instruments
Develop questions for deposition or cross-examination
Determine whether additional records, collateral information, or evaluation may be useful
Prepare to present complicated behavioral-health information clearly
Evaluate whether a particular issue falls within the consultant’s professional expertise

Consultation does not guarantee a particular opinion or litigation outcome. All opinions are independently developed from the available information and applicable professional standards.

Review of Opposing-Expert Reports

MindfulCo Inc. may provide independent consultation regarding reports prepared by another evaluator or behavioral-health professional.

The review may consider:

The evaluator’s stated role and referral question
The information reviewed and omitted
Interview and assessment procedures
Reliance on collateral sources
Interpretation of testing or assessment results
Consistency between the underlying information and final conclusions
Consideration of competing explanations
Treatment of conflicting evidence
Disclosure of limitations
Scope of the opinions offered
Clarity and professional organization of the report

The purpose of this service is not to criticize another professional merely because a party disagrees with the conclusions. The purpose is to determine whether the methods, reasoning, and opinions are adequately supported by the information identified in the report.

Independent and Objective Opinions

MindfulCo Inc. does not function as an advocate for either party.

The role of an expert or consultant is to evaluate the available information objectively, apply relevant professional knowledge, identify important limitations, and communicate conclusions accurately.

An engagement does not guarantee that the resulting opinions will support the position of the retaining party. Fees are based on professional time and services provided, not on the substance of an opinion or the outcome of a case.

Important Professional-Role Information

Expert consultation, forensic evaluation, and testimony are not therapy.

An expert-witness or consultation relationship does not establish a treating-provider relationship. Confidentiality, privilege, informed consent, and access to information may differ from those applicable to therapy.

The professional role, intended use of information, limits of confidentiality, and anticipated recipients of findings are clarified before services begin.

Initiating a Consultation

Attorneys, Guardians ad Litem, courts, agencies, and other authorized professionals may initiate an inquiry by providing:

Name and contact information of the referring professional
Firm, court, or agency
Names of the involved parties for conflict screening
County and jurisdiction
General case type
Referral question
Requested service
Known deposition, hearing, or trial deadlines
Whether a court order currently exists

Please do not submit confidential records through a standard website contact form. Secure submission instructions will be provided after conflict screening and acceptance of the engagement.

Discuss a Potential Matter

Contact MindfulCo Inc. to discuss the referral question, requested professional role, deadlines, and whether the matter falls within the available services.

Request an Expert Consultation

Telephone: (803) 805-3792
Email: mindfulcoinc@mindfulcoinc.com

Submission of an inquiry does not create a professional relationship or confirm acceptance of a matter. An engagement begins only after conflict screening, formal acceptance, completion of the required agreement, and satisfaction of any applicable retainer requirements.