Procedures for Custody
The policy regarding custody and consent to treatment is based on rulings by the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology and guidance from the Pennsylvania Psychological Association. Please read the following to determine what might fit your situation and how it applies to beginning therapy services.
It is our policy that, for children ages 13 and younger, all individuals with legal custody of the child must provide to services. Consent is required by all parties involved before the first appointment is scheduled. Children 14 and older may consent to therapy or evaluation on their own behalf.
This policy applies when:
- The child’s biological or adoptive parents are divorced.
- There is a custody order involving the chilld.
- When the child is in the custody of Children & Youth Services and is in a kinship/foster placement.
Sole Legal Custody:
Sole legal custody means that one parent has been granted the right to independently make all decisions about a child’s well-being, such as decisions about education and healthcare, without involving the other parent. Legal custody is not the same as physical custody, which has to do with where a child lives and the visitation arrangement with other caregivers.
If you have sole legal custody, we will need the following before the first appointment is schedule:
- a copy of the custody order
- You will need to sign an agreement/policy for families that are involved in court related interventions.
Shared Legal Custody:
If there is a custody order granting shared legal custody to two or more parents or guardians, the practice requires the following:
- Intake paperwork signed by each adult involved in the custody order. Forms will be sent to each guardian to complete before the first session.
- A copy of the custody order.
- Parents/guardians will need to sign an agreement/policy for families involved in court-related activities.
Once documentation or custody agreements have been provided, the therapist can reach out to schedule an initial intake session if appropriate. It is important to remember that this therapist does not provide custody evaluations or speak on the behalf of custody recommendations.