Would it constitute a conflict of interest, if a childs COURT ORDERED therapist realized she was also..?

Question

the parents therapist (the one being accused of abuse) as a young girl and they had a semi personal relationship?

In this case the therapist ignored numerous cries of the child once she found out the mother with whom she treated for years for sexual abuse as a child turned out to be the one accused of sexually abusing her son. The therapist had written letters to CPS and Law Enforcement stating that the child was fearful of his mother and suffered greatly from anxiety and ADD as a result of the abuse. The mother had changed her last name so the therapist did not find out who the mother was until later after which she changed her opinion. Are there any laws that would prevent this woman from being this childs court ordered therapist, given the situation?

For the record, this therapist did not "report" any abuse. She was court ordered by a civil court judge to evaluate the child after the abuse was reported by others. Her reports to the police and CPS was simply an evaluation of the child she was ordered to provide by the court. At the time the paperwork was provided to the agencies she did not know who the childs mother was. The mother had a legal name change due to her abuse as a child and the father was the one who took the child to his sessions. It was not until later when she begin conversing with the childs mother and realized who she was that she changed her evaluation. She had not seen the child since her evaluation and was given no reason by the child to change her story.

Answer 1

It sounds pretty convoluted and complicated, but here's my (IANAL) guess:

-most jurisdictions have laws that require a professional to report cases of suspected child abuse. Sounds like she did, but what's a "therapist"? A real professional with a degree or certification (doctor, teacher, lawyer, clergy, nurse) is covered. The average citizen is not.

-most professional organizations have clear "conflict of interest" rules. If you have any reason to think your professional judgement is impaired by personal feelings, or questionable, you should withdraw from the case. This would prevent not only cases like this, but also the perception. A judge doesn't hear a case involving his friend; a prosecutor doesn't decide whether to charge his son. If it appears the conflict exists, most professional bodies have a complaints group you can report the person to.

Answer 2

No, no. If there replaced right into a topic that has made them uncomfortable at their mothers residing house, and police have been in contact, you have each and every superb to maintain them risk-free and mushy. they are the two infants so as that they are sufficiently previous to assert what they experience and be attentive to what rather got here about with the police. you are able to desire to ask for a court docket date and clarify to the choose the region handy and that way you x heavily isn't waiting to assert those nasty issues approximately you. My brother in regulation is interior the top comparable subject different than the mummy is a drug addict and is attempting to be interior the infants life. completely destroying any advance and progression happening with the familiar that the father is putting down for the infants. merely save concentration on your infants, and attempt to keep away from the rigidity of her B.S. and what ever you do by no potential communicate undesirable approximately mom in front of the kiddos they'll then activate you. good luck.

Answer 3

Its a clear violation and the person should be reported to her professional licensing board for diciplinary action.

She should need to defend her change of opinion and explain why she did not withdraw after realizing the conflict.

A court should consider only her first opinion.

Answer 4

That would be a conflict of interest and that counselor would have an ETHICAL obligation, as well as legal, to recuse herself from the position.