DILWORTH PSYCHOTHERAPY ASSOCIATES

POLICY REGARDING THE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT OF CHILDREN

WHOSE PARENTS ARE SEPARATED OR DIVORCED

It is our belief that the treatment needs of children can best be met by the active involvement of both parents. Parents who share joint legal custody, even if the child is in the primary physical custody of one parent, should both be actively involved in their child’s care.  Under these circumstances, the following considerations of the child’s best interest will be abided by, to the greatest extent possible, during the therapy relationship.

1. It is in the child’s best interest to feel that the support of both parents for the therapy.  Toward this end, we will request that sessions are scheduled so that both parents have an opportunity to bring the child and to consult with the therapist.
    
2. It is in the child’s best interest to have feelings of security about the safety and confidentiality of the therapy process.  Toward this end, the following provisions will apply:
   1. Therapists will share with the child's parents general information about the child’s psychological status and treatment but will generally not share specific comments about what the child has shared. 
   2. If the child’s health or safety is at risk, parents will be notified immediately.
   3. Although a child’s specific statements might not be shared with the parents, the therapist, based upon clinical judgment and current standards of care, might inform the child of information that parents share about the child.
       
3. In order to promote the child’s safety, security, and permission to disclose and discuss issues and feelings openly, it is very important that the therapist not be called upon to repeat the child’s statements to third parties or to express opinions about the child that may cause the child’s statements to be revealed.  For these reasons:
   1. The parents agree that they will not take any action to cause the therapist to be requested to testify in any legal proceeding.
   2. The parents agree that they will not take any action to cause attorneys or any other third parties to contact the therapist to ask about the therapist’s opinion or the child’s functioning.
   3. The parents agree that they will not consent to release of the therapist’s records to their attorneys or any other third party, except as required for purposes of insurance coverage or other reimbursement.
   4. The parents agree that if the legal system were to require information concerning the psychological status of the child, including feelings about parents and custodial and living arrangements, an independent forensic assessment of the child will be undertaken by another mental health professional not associated with Dilworth Psychotherapy Associates to assist the Court in whatever determinations need to be made.
       
4. It is in the child’s best interest to remain as free as possible from pressure to take either parent’s side in the disputed issues.  It is also important for the child to feel that he/she has full freedom and permission to love, respect, and show affection for both parents.  For these reasons, the parents agree that all concerns that one parent raises about the child or other parent may be shared with the other parent by the therapist.  The parents agree that they may not make statements “off the record” or “in confidence” to the therapist.
    
5. It is vitally important that the child’s therapy process be dedicated to the child’s well-being and that it not be subverted to meet the needs of the parents that may exist outside the therapy process.  For this reason, the parents agree that they will not instruct the child to what to say in therapy and will not advise the child about the important issues that need to be addressed.  If either parent becomes concerned that an issue is not being addressed in therapy, the parent will raise the issue directly with the therapist, outside of hearing of the child.