Policy for Provision of Services to Children whose Parents are Separated or Divorced

The focus of Megan Henderson Psychology is the emotional and psychological wellbeing of the children we see, many of whom come from separated families. This policy outlines our practice’s philosophy to our families to ensure that the best interests of our clients are always prioritised.

Parental separation or divorce can be a challenging time for everyone, especially children. During these periods, parents often seek additional support for their children, which can introduce unique challenges into the therapeutic process. It is essential that therapy provides an emotionally safe environment and is delivered by a trained professional.

Effective treatment outcomes depend on both parents working together to prioritise their child’s well-being. Please note that Megan Henderson does not have specialised training in managing high-conflict families or those undergoing court proceedings. In such cases, families will be referred to specialised clinics with the necessary expertise.

Our practice position is as follows:

  • Family Context: We consider treatment for a child within the broader family context and prefer to involve all engaged parents or caregivers to maximise the impact of therapy.
  • Positive Relationships: Generally, children benefit from maintaining a positive relationship with both parents unless there are significant concerns such as abuse, neglect, or severe parental deficits.
  • Conflict Impact: Research indicates that prolonged exposure to parental conflict can negatively affect children. In cases of high conflict, we may refer families to specialised services like Family Dispute Practitioners.
  • Neutral Role: Our role is to remain neutral and unbiased. If therapy is being used for legal purposes or if coercion is evident, therapy will be terminated and a referral to an appropriate external agency will be made.
  • Court Proceedings: Court involvement is generally considered counterproductive to therapy goals, with the exception of matters related to child abuse or neglect.

To ensure effective treatment, both parents are required to consent to the therapy process. This policy helps to prevent therapy from becoming a source of conflict and ensures that the child is not placed in a position of choosing sides. We expect both parents to communicate about the child’s treatment and recommendations and to manage their co-parenting responsibilities effectively. Routine communication outside of sessions is not managed by the clinician if one parent chooses not to attend appointments, as this can exacerbate co-parenting difficulties.

We also do not provide recommendations about living arrangements or parenting schedules. Instead, we focus on supporting children and parents in managing their adjustment to separation and improving their emotional well-being.

For further information on parenting after separation, you can visit the Australian Psychological Society’s resources at APS Parenting After Separation.

Policy

  1. Purpose

This policy outlines the procedures and guidelines for working with separated parents at Megan Henderson Psychology. It ensures compliance with the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Code of Ethics, AHPRA requirements, and relevant legal considerations, including the management of court documents and obtaining necessary consents. Our goal is to provide the most appropriate care and support for all clients, in alignment with our commitment to ethical practice and professional competence. If you have any questions or require further clarification regarding this policy, please feel free to contact us.

  1. Scope

This policy applies to all psychological services provided by Megan Henderson Psychology involving separated parents or guardians of minor clients.

  1. Clinical Judgment and Referral to Specialised Services
  • Megan Henderson reserves the right to decline offering psychological services to a child or family if, based on clinical judgment, it is determined that the child’s best interests would be better served by accessing support from a specialised service with expert training in the area of separated families. This decision aligns with the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Code of Ethics and AHPRA requirements, which stipulate that psychologists must work within their scope of professional competency.
  • Megan Henderson acknowledges that working with high-conflict situations or families undergoing court proceedings requires specialised skills and training that she does not possess. Therefore, in cases where it is assessed that a specialised service would provide more appropriate and effective support, a referral to such services will be recommended.
  1. Consent Requirements
    • Consent from Both Parents
  • When working with separated parents, Megan Henderson Psychology requires consent from both parents or legal guardians before commencing psychological services for a child. This ensures that both parties are informed and agree to the involvement of the psychologist in the child’s care.

3.2 Exceptions to Consent

  • In situations where a court order specifies that consent from one or both parents is not required, Megan Henderson Psychology will comply with the court order. Documentation of the court order will be kept on file.
  1. Disclosure of Court Documents

4.1 Requirement for Disclosure

  • Clients are required to disclose any court orders, parenting plans, or other legal documents relevant to the psychological services being provided. This includes documentation related to custody arrangements, access rights, and other relevant legal matters.

4.2 Handling of Court Documents

  • Court documents must be provided to Dr Megan Henderson before the commencement of services. These documents are essential for understanding the legal context and ensuring that psychological interventions align with legal requirements.
  • Confidentiality
  • All court documents and related information are handled with strict confidentiality. Access is limited to authorized personnel only, and documents are stored securely in compliance with our Privacy Policy.
  1. Communication with Parents

5.1 Coordinated Approach

  • At Megan Henderson Psychology, we will aim to coordinate communication within sessions with both parents to ensure that all parties are informed about the treatment process and any relevant developments. This includes providing updates on the child’s progress and involving both parents in significant decisions regarding their child’s care.
  • Parents are expected to communicate with each other regarding the child’s treatment and recommendations. Dr Megan Henderson will not be responsible for routine communication outside of the session with any parent who chooses not to attend the appointments. In most cases, for a psychologist to arrange for additional communication outside of the session would risk encouraging an unhealthy co-parenting relationship, which is considered counterproductive to therapy goals.

5.2 Resolving Disagreements

  • If disagreements arise between separated parents concerning the child’s psychological care, we will strive to mediate and address these issues in accordance with ethical guidelines and with the child’s best interests in mind. If necessary, external mediation may be recommended. In some cases, psychological care for the child may be temporarily paused until the conflict is resolved.

5.3 Termination of Services

If it is determined that obtaining consent from both parents is not feasible or if disagreements between parents impede the therapeutic process, Dr Megan Henderson may pause or terminate the services. Appropriate referrals to specialised services or mediators will be made if necessary.

  1. Ethical and Legal Considerations

6.1 APS Code of Ethics

  • Dr Megan Henderson will adhere to the APS Code of Ethics, ensuring that all actions are in the best interest of the child and that both parents are treated fairly and with respect.

6.2 AHPRA Requirements

  • The practice will comply with AHPRA regulations, including maintaining professional standards and ensuring that all necessary consents and legal documents are obtained and managed appropriately.
  1. Record Keeping

7.1 Documentation

  • All consents, court documents, and relevant correspondence will be documented and securely stored in the client’s file. Records are maintained in compliance with our Privacy Policy and applicable legal requirements.

7.2 Access to Records

  • Records related to the child’s care are accessible only to authorised personnel involved in their treatment.
  • Both parents may request access to their child’s records, subject to privacy and confidentiality considerations.
  1. Payment
  • The Referring parent who initially sets up the psychological service for the child is considered primarily responsible for payment, unless otherwise specified.
  1. Review and Updates

8.1 Policy Review

  • This policy is reviewed periodically to ensure it remains compliant with current ethical guidelines, legal requirements, and best practices. Updates will be communicated to clients as necessary.

8.2 Client Feedback

  • Feedback from clients regarding this policy and its implementation is welcome and will be used to improve our practices and services.
  1. Contact Information

For any questions, concerns or feedback regarding this policy or working with separated parents, please contact:

Dr Megan Henderson

Megan Henderson Psychology
info@meganhendersonpsychology.com.au

 

Last Updated: September 2024

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