Supporting Separated Families

Separated and co-parenting families can face additional challenges when a child or young person is receiving psychological support.

At Family Minded, we aim to work respectfully, transparently and in a way that keeps the child or young person’s needs central.

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Consent and involvement

Unless there are special circumstances or relevant parenting orders in place, Family Minded’s practice is to require consent from both parents before commencing therapy or assessment with a child or young person.

Where only one parent makes the initial enquiry, we will actively seek consent from the other parent before proceeding.

If there are parenting orders, intervention orders, safety concerns, restrictions on contact, or other legal arrangements that may affect consent or parental involvement, we ask families to let us know and provide relevant documentation so we can determine the appropriate process.

For older children and adolescents, we also consider the young person’s own capacity to understand and consent to care, consistent with professional and legal requirements.

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Why we involve both parents

Where appropriate, involving both parents can help us develop a more complete understanding of the child or young person and reduce confusion or misunderstanding about treatment.

It may also support greater consistency across households and help clarify expectations around communication, appointments and decision-making.

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Communication with parents

We understand that separated parents may not always communicate directly or comfortably with each other.

Where needed, we may communicate with parents separately. We aim to share relevant clinical information fairly and appropriately, while maintaining the child or young person’s privacy and therapeutic needs.

Brief updates may sometimes be provided without charge. Longer consultations or parent sessions are generally billed at the usual session rate.

We ask that communication with clinicians remains respectful, child-focused and arranged through appropriate channels.

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When parents disagree

There may be times when parents have different views about therapy, assessment or how information should be shared.

In these situations, we will consider:

• Family Minded’s consent requirements

• parental responsibility

• relevant parenting or court orders

• safety concerns

• the child or young person’s age and circumstances

• clinical and ethical responsibilities

• whether we can continue to provide care safely and effectively.

We do not take sides in parenting disputes.

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Family violence and safety concerns

If there is a history of family violence, an intervention order, or another safety concern, please let us know before treatment or assessment begins.

We may ask to review relevant documentation so that we can determine how consent, communication and parent involvement should be managed safely and appropriately.

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When we may not be able to proceed

There are some situations where Family Minded may decide that we are not the right service.

This may include situations where:

• consent required under Family Minded policy, applicable parenting orders, or law cannot be obtained

• a parent will not permit clinically appropriate communication

• there is already another psychologist providing the same type of treatment

• parental conflict makes it difficult to maintain a safe, neutral or therapeutically appropriate role

• the matter has become primarily forensic or legal rather than therapeutic.

Where possible, we will recommend a more appropriate service.

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Parent and family support

Separated parents may also benefit from parent-only sessions or family counselling focused on communication, consistency, routines, behaviour and supporting the child across households.

Family Minded provides family counselling, but not specialist systemic family therapy.

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Court and legal matters

Family Minded does not provide:

• parenting capacity assessments

• custody or shared-care recommendations

• forensic psychological assessments

• expert witness reports

• court-directed family assessments.

Clinical reports and summaries are prepared for therapeutic purposes and should not be considered family law or forensic reports.

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Before starting

If your family is separated, please let us know when you enquire.

Providing relevant information about parental responsibility, parenting arrangements, court orders and contact between parents helps us establish the right process from the beginning.

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