What should a therapist check for when obtaining consent for treatment from divorced parents?

When obtaining consent for treatment from divorced parents, it is essential for a therapist to check the custody agreement. This document outlines the legal arrangements regarding the child’s care and decision-making authority, including which parent has the right to make decisions about the child's treatment. Understanding the custody agreement helps ensure that the therapist is acting within legal and ethical boundaries when seeking consent, particularly when there may be differing opinions or conflicts between the parents regarding the child's care.

Additionally, being aware of the custody arrangement allows the therapist to navigate complex family dynamics appropriately and to ensure that both parents are involved in the treatment process to the extent required by the agreement. This consideration is crucial in promoting the child's best interests and maintaining open communication with both parents.

In contrast, while factors such as the age of the child, financial contributions from each parent, and the therapeutic history of each parent may have relevance in various contexts, they do not directly address the need for legal consent in the treatment of the child. Therefore, these factors would not be as critical for the therapist to verify compared to the custody agreement.