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About Trish Guise:
Coercive Control Expert

Trish Guise founder and principal consultant of Forensic Coercive Control Solutions Inc.

Trish Guise is the Founder and Principal of Forensic Coercive Control Solutions Inc. She is a forensic behavioral scientist specializing in coercive control, family violence, and post-separation abuse.

Her work focuses on identifying patterns of behavior across time, particularly in situations where there is a large volume of communication, documentation, and conflicting narratives. Her work is informed by both professional training and direct experience with the complexities of coercive control.

She holds a Master of Science in the Psychology of Coercive Control and has been qualified as an expert in this area by the Superior Court of California. Her work spans family, criminal, civil, workplace, and institutional matters.

In 2025, she was selected by Alberta Justice to develop and deliver training on coercive control and post-separation abuse to more than 160 justice professionals. She is also a Research Associate with the University of Salford and serves as a peer reviewer in this field.

Her broader work focuses on supporting both individuals and professionals in recognizing patterns of coercive control, understanding their impact, and responding in ways that prioritize health, safety, and long-term well-being.

 

This includes assisting decision-makers in moving beyond surface-level assessments to more accurately understand risk and behavioral dynamics within family systems.

What She Does

Trish’s work focuses on identifying patterns of coercive control across documented behavior and communication.

In many cases, there is a large volume of information, including messages, emails, affidavits, and third-party records. Despite this, the situation can remain difficult to clearly explain or present.

 

This is often because coercive control is not identified through isolated incidents. It becomes visible when behavior is examined across time.

Extensive evidence does not assist if the pattern is not identified.

 

Her role is to bring structure to complex information, identify whether a pattern of coercive control is present, and clarify how that pattern is functioning.

This supports a more accurate understanding of the situation, particularly where the dynamics may otherwise be misunderstood, minimized, or interpreted as mutual conflict.

Her work is used to assist professionals and individuals in making more informed decisions, including how to respond to risk, how to approach resolution processes, and how to interpret behavior within family and institutional systems.

Who She Works With

Trish works with both professionals and individuals in matters where patterns of behavior are difficult to identify, explain, or respond to.

 

Professionals

Trish works with lawyers and other professionals to assist with the organization and analysis of complex material where patterns are not yet clearly defined.

 

This includes situations involving large volumes of communication, conflicting accounts, or concerns about coercive control that are not easily understood through isolated incidents.

 

Her work supports clearer case framing, more accurate interpretation of behavior, and more informed decision-making throughout legal and dispute resolution processes.

This may include early-stage case analysis, preparation for dispute resolution processes, or support in understanding how patterns of behavior may be presented within legal contexts.

Individuals

Trish also works directly with individuals navigating complex interpersonal and family dynamics, particularly in the context of separation, co-parenting, and dispute resolution.

Many individuals come to this work with a sense that something is not right but find it difficult to clearly explain what is happening or how to respond. This is especially common in situations involving patterns of coercive control.

Her work focuses on helping individuals understand what they are experiencing, recognize patterns of behavior across time, and prepare for mediation or legal processes in a more structured and informed way.

 

This may also include assisting individuals in approaching co-parenting dynamics and parenting plans with greater clarity, particularly where patterns of behavior are influencing communication, decision-making, or the overall functioning of the family system.

Her role is not to provide legal advice or make determinations, but to support clarity, understanding, and more effective decision-making.

Approach

Trish’s work is structured, research grounded, and methodologically transparent. It focuses on identifying patterns of behavior across time, context, and interaction, rather than relying on isolated incidents or individual events.

Her approach is informed by current research on coercive control, family violence, and post-separation abuse, as well as established forensic and analytical practices. This includes careful review of documented material, pattern identification, and clear articulation of how behavior is functioning within a given context.

This work is also trauma and domestic violence informed. It recognizes that individuals may present with incomplete, fragmented, or non-linear accounts, and that behavior must be understood within the broader context in which it occurs. At the same time, the work remains grounded in observable information and documented patterns.

Her approach is practical and focused on application. The goal is to support clearer understanding, more effective communication of concerns, and more informed decision-making within legal and dispute resolution processes.

Coaching

Coaching is a non-evaluative and non-testimonial service designed to support individuals in working through complex situations in a structured and practical way.

This work focuses on helping individuals organize their thoughts, clarify what is most relevant, and approach communication, co-parenting, and decision-making with greater confidence and direction. It may include preparation for mediation, support in navigating co-parenting dynamics, and approaching parenting plans with greater clarity where patterns of behavior are influencing the situation.

The emphasis is on developing a clearer understanding of what is happening, how to respond, and how to move forward in a way that is consistent and informed. Coaching does not involve making findings, providing expert opinions, or offering legal advice.

Training

Training is focused on supporting professionals and organizations in recognizing, understanding, and responding to coercive control and related forms of family violence.

This includes practical guidance on identifying patterns of behavior, avoiding common misinterpretations, and responding in ways that are consistent with legal, professional, and safety considerations.

Her training is case-based and interactive, with a focus on the types of challenges professionals are currently encountering in practice. It is grounded in current research and informed by real-world case dynamics, with an emphasis on application within legal, justice, and institutional settings.

Litigation Support

Litigation support is a non-testimonial service provided to lawyers and their clients. It focuses on the organization, review, and analysis of documentary material where patterns of behavior are not yet clearly defined.

 

This may include identifying themes across communication, assisting with case framing, highlighting relevant behavioral patterns, and supporting the interpretation of material in preparation for legal processes.

 

This work is intended to assist counsel in understanding the material and does not involve providing independent expert opinions to the court.

 

Expert Reports

Expert reports involve independent, research-based analysis of documentary evidence for the purpose of providing an expert opinion.

This work is conducted in accordance with the role and responsibilities of an expert, including independence, neutrality, and a duty to the court. It involves structured review of materials, identification of patterns of behavior, and formulation of opinions based on the available evidence.

Expert report work is distinct from coaching and litigation support and is not provided in the same matter where other services have been delivered.

 

ORCID: 0009-0008-5943-490X

Education, Training & Professional Affiliations

 

Education & Credentials

  • Master of Science (MSc),

Psychology of Coercive Control (with Distinction)

University of Salford

 

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Human Resource Management

Simon Fraser University

 

  • Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Psychology

University of Calgary

  • Qualified as an Expert in Coercive Control

Superior Court of California

  • Research Associate

Directorate of Psychology & Sport

University of Salford

  • Peer Reviewer

Academic journals 

Specialized Training

  • Litigation and Evaluation involving Abuse Allegations in Family Court (LEFCC) Specialty Certification,

Institute on Violence, Abuse & Trauma

  • ​Safe and Together Model CORE Training

Safe and Together Institute

  • SAFeR Risk Assessment

Battered Womens Justice Project (BWJP)

  • Working with Fathers Who Harm

CREVAWC

  • Parenting Plan Evaluations

AFCC

  • Additional specialized training in coercive control, family violence, post-separation abuse, recidivism, and forensic analysis of behavioral patterns. Further details upon request. 

Subject Areas

  • Coercive control 

  • Family violence, domestic violence, intimate partner violence

  • Post-separation abuse

  • Risk identification 

  • Litigation and systems abuse

  • Institutional response 

  • Behavioral pattern analysis

  • Impact of coercive control on functioning of individuals, children, families, systems and workplaces.

  • Communication patterns and decision-making within family systems.

Professional Memberships

  • Association of Family & Conciliation Courts (AFCC) -National & Provincial Chapters​​

  • Canadian Psychological Association (CPA)

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

FCCS works with legal professionals and individuals in matters involving coercive control. Book an appointment to discuss service options and determine whether coaching, litigation support, or expert involvement is appropriate. Detailed case information is not required prior to booking.

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this website is general in nature and not legal advice. It should not be relied on as a substitute for legal advice. You should consult a lawyer regarding your individual situation. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Any information submitted through this website, email, or private message is not protected by attorney-client privilege. Please do not send confidential or detailed case information until a formal retainer is in place.

 

Services include coaching, litigation support, and expert services related to coercive control and family violence. These services do not constitute legal representation.

 

Where expert services may be requested, independence and objectivity are required. Providing detailed case-specific information in advance may limit or prevent the ability to later act as an independent expert in the same matter. Engagement in coaching or litigation support does not create an expert witness relationship and may preclude later expert involvement. To maintain independence, dual roles are not undertaken. Where coaching or litigation support services have been provided in a matter, independent expert services will not be offered in that same matter.

 

All outcomes depend on the specific facts of each matter. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes. The content on this website is provided as is, without warranties of any kind. Reliance on any information is at your own risk

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