Q: Can a joint custodial parent veto a particular child therapist?
I share joint 50/50 legal custody of my 5 yr old child w my ex. Our agreement was filed w the court in 2017. My ex would like a therapist (who has not yet met our child but has shown bias against me as a non-birth mom) to start seeing our child every other week for therapy. Our current child therapist is leaving her practice, which is what necessitated this switch in providers. I would like her to continue therapy, but NOT w this PARTICULAR new therapist. Just this morning the therapist suggested I relinquish my rights to custody. She was initially hired to be our co-parenting counselor, but after 4 sessions said she would rather see our child than us. My ex is completely on board, I would like to seek other options.
My child has no diagnosis. She was in counseling every 2 wks since Aug to help her adjust to a new baby brother and general frustrations related to the pandemic.
As the other, equally legal custodial parent, can I withhold my consent for a particular therapist?
A: You should request a therapist referral from the provider who is leaving for a successor therapist. Both parents should have input for the new provider. If the other parent refuses and there is a proceeding pending or if there is not a proceeding one would need to be brought- for Modification seeking sole decision-making on health issues if there is a proceeding and/or Contempt.
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