Consent and confidentiality for children and teens

Who signs

A parent or guardian who has the right to consent to a child's mental health care signs before the first session. After a divorce, your parenting plan or court order usually says who that is. We ask to see that page.

When both parents decide together

If the order says you decide together, both of you sign. Raymond does not start with one parent's signature alone, and he does not take one parent's word that the other agrees.

What stays private

What your child says, draws or plays in a session stays in the room. Both parents get the same general update about how sessions are going: how often, what the work is about, what would help at home.

What Raymond must share

He must report suspected abuse or neglect of a child. He may share what is needed if he believes your child or someone else is at serious risk, and he will tell you when he does.

Court and records

A child's records are held by the practice, and a parent with the right to them can ask. Raymond can confirm that your child is in therapy and on which dates. He does not write custody recommendations or testify about custody.

When parents disagree

He explains what he sees and what each choice would mean for your child. If you share the decision and disagree about starting or stopping, that is for the two of you, and he waits.