Acronyms
This is the acronym for Guardian ad Litem
What is...
GAL
The court appointed attorney whose job it is to look out for the best interest of the child(ren)
What is...
The Guardian Ad Litem
Ongoing, high-conflict parental relationships are associated with poorer outcomes for children.
TRUE
You get a call from an attorney for one of your adult clients. You know this attorney very well and you trust them as you have had many cases with them as the GAL. What do you do?
(numerous answers)
Hold boundary (no private attorney)
ROI signed?
This is the acronym for Parenting Coordinator
What is..
PC
You begin feeling personally angry at one parent and protective of the other, what is going on?
Countertransference (get some consultation)
There are 13 factors that custody and placement evaluators and Guardian Ad Litems must look at when making recommendations.
TRUE
You are working with a 13 year old who is exploring their identity and you have agreed that these conversations are between you and her. You get supenaed from the judge to release records because dad is stating that therapy is brainwashing his child. If the judge gets records all parties do including parents. What do you do?
Call the GAL and explain the situation and request a protection against the records.
IF no GAL, write a letter to the court.
This is the acronym for marital settlement agreement
What is....
MSA
Three things you could speak about to a family court professional about your client? (assuming releases are signed)
What is...
(Numerous answers:)
1. Diagnosis
2. Treatment plan and current progress or barriers
3. Data to show progress or challenges
4. Any factual observations
A guardian ad Litem can not do anything to help therapists protect their treatment records.
FALSE
GAL's can indeed put a motion in to the court requesting treatment records be closed to parents.
This term describes when a child feels pressured to align with one parent against the other.
What is...
Triangulation
This is the acronym for temporary restraining order
What is...
TRO
This professional facilitates negotiation between parties to reach agreements outside of trial
Mediator
One of Shelly's favorite things is data when talking to a therapist
True
A mother in a high-conflict custody dispute asks you to write a letter stating that the father is “emotionally abusive” and should not have visitation. You have only treated the child for three sessions and have never met the father. What do you do?
Discuss roles and expecations of treatment and how that is outside of your scope of practice
This is the acronym for Family Court Services
What is...
FCS
This professional conducts a neutral assessment and provides custody and placement recommendations to the court.
Family Custody and Placement Evaluator or Family Court Counselor (Dane County)
A parenting coordinator will only want to talk to you as a therapist if you can speak on the matter brought before them.
TRUE
An attorney who you have a release for contacts you and asks, “Off the record, do you think my client should have primary custody?” What do you do?
(numerous responses)
Stay in your lane on and off the record.