Psychotherapy for children is most successful when caregivers are involved in the therapy process. The best outcomes occur when the therapist has a working relationship with both parents/caregivers built upon collaboration and a desire to promote your child's best interest. In most cases I will require the consent of both parents/guardians to work with their child. I will work with each caregiver to achieve successful co-parenting as this is one of the best predictors of the child's psychological health.
Treatment Focus
It is my goal to facilitate and support your child's emotional and psychological health. It is not my goal, as the therapist, to pick sides or identify a "best" parent. Furthermore, it is not my role to cajole a parent into compliance with the requests of the other parent. This behavior is countertherapeutic to the well being of the child. In some cases, I may recommend family therapy. The members asked to participate in family therapy will be determined based on my clinical judgement. This will be communicated with parents/legal guardians. We are all in this together for your child's wellbeing. We are a team.
Caregiver Behavior
I understand that caregivers at times have intense conflicts or disagreements. In the best interest of the child, it is expected that parents/guardians contain their own tension between each other and maintain amicable behavior in the waiting room and during the child's sessions. Yelling, arguing, or talking negatively about the other caregiver is not supportive to the child's healing.
Communication
I will be in equal contact with both parents who share legal custody of the child. I will not engage phone calls, voice mails, emails or other communications directed at pitting me against another parent/caregiver. If/when these communications are received, the other parent may be notified, along with other professionals that may be assigned to this case, such as case workers, Guardian ad Litems, family therapists, and DCF.
Legal Proceedings
In some cases, one or both parents may decide to take legal action regarding custody of the child. Therapy and legal testimony are very different services. My goal first and foremost is to create a supportive, safe relationship with the child for the purpose of achieving therapy goals. I can not nor will not provide a recommendation regarding custody of the child when acting as the therapist for the child and/or family. I will communicate with legal professionals only as required by law, and all professionals and parents should know that the therapist's responsibility is for confidentiality and protection of the counseling relationship, not to assist one parent's legal case. If asked to provide a report or testimony/deposition for court, you will be held financially responsible. The retainer fee is $1500, and payment is required within 5 days. My services along with all Boundless Hope services will be billed at a fee of $275/hour to include travel time, court time, preparing documents, etc.
Abiding by these guidelines will increase the likelihood of positive therapy outcomes for your child. Violations of these guidelines could result in a disruption or termination of service.
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