Helping of a Family
In this scenario, there are a number of perspectives that emerge. First, the parents of the child are divorced. Second, the father is the custodial parent while the mother is a non-custodial parent. Third, the mother has a drinking problem, and it is yet to stop. Finally, the patient is a child, and thus his or her decisions are dependent on parents (Spencer, 2000). In approaching this scenario, APA standards 3 and 10 would be extremely significant. Standard 3 is about human relations and subsection 3.10 is about informed consent. According to APA (2010), there is a need to obtain informed consent of the person or persons by the use of language that can be understood to that individual or individuals. In this case, informed consent has already been obtained from the custodial parent who is the father.
Standard 10 is about Therapy, and subset 10.02 is concerned with therapy that involves couples or families. According to APA (2010), when a psychologist agrees to offer services to people who have a relationship, they have to make clarification at the outset as to which of the persons is the patient and parent. On these grounds, the father is the custodial parent of the child. Therefore, he has the right to bar the mother from getting involved. On other grounds, the mother’s drinking behavior has not changed. She continues to drink. Therefore, it would not be appropriate to involve hare during the therapy of the minor child. This is because for a minor child with depression, a clean, sound and positive environment is necessary. Involving the mother who drinks might have a negative effect on therapy. Take an example of a scenario where the father and mother meet during one of the sessions and a confrontation ensues. This can negate the gains of the therapy. Therefore, the mother should not be involved in the therapy. Instead, advice should be accorded to her to seek therapy for her drinking problem.
References
American Psychological Association. (2010) Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. American Psychological Association, 2010, pp. 1-18.
Spencer, G.E. (2000) Children’s Competency to Consent: An Ethical Dilemma. Journal of Child Health Care, 2000; 4(3): 117-122.
