Tips for counseling children in a custody case

Are you accepting new clients?  Do you do child therapy and therapeutic visitation?  Will you testify in court as needed?  Do you take Medicaid?  Any insurance you do not take?  What are your private pay rates? 

When counseling a child in a custody case:

Do you make sure you speak with both parents (reach out if needed)

Do you realize that the veracity of both or either of the parents could be questioned when giving you information regarding the child and disclosures?

Do you realize a child can be coached?  Do you know how to look for the signs?

Do you know the subtle questions (for the child) that will identify parental alienation?

Do you realize that parental alienation causes real psychological harm to the children?

Do you make sure the child has one-on-one therapy and not grouped with siblings?  (Each child is unique)

Do you refrain from making recommendations, other than therapeutic interventions (no comments on who should get custody) [That keeps you from testifying most times]?

Do you follow your own profession's ethical standards?