Hi again everyone;
I have a question.
CPS has requested/demanded/whatever that my girlfriend submit to a "counseling assessment". This, according to the CW, will determine if there is a "need for counseling". This will take place via 1 to 3 home visits by a counselor. If it is decided that counseling is needed, CPS will pay for it. Likewise if my GF decides that she wants it, CPS will pay for it.
This is scheduled for July and is part of the "agreement" as to what my GF needs to do to get her daughter back from the father.
Okay, so, my question is this: would it hurt or help or even matter if my GF went ahead and started counseling NOW, on her own?
I am certain the "assessment" will determine that there is a "need". That seems pretty certain. I'm thinking that if my GF goes ahead and gets into counseling now, when they "order" it she'll be a few sessions ahead.
i'm also wondering if the CW will drop her "assessment" if she learns my GF is already IN counseling?
I mean, wouldnt' she look dumb to be doing an assessment for counsling on somone already in counseling? Or will they do it anyway?
I am also thinking that at least if my GF does it on her own, if the CW delays this "assessment" in any way it can't hurt my GF to have done it on her own when she goes back before the judge in September.
Thoughts on this?
Thanks!
counseling "assessment" question
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righteousbabe
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Frustrated
- Posts: 3916
- Joined: Fri Aug 26, 2005 11:15 am
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You sure got me. I don't really know.
But I know from my experience, I had 2 Service Plans with CPS in the past, in having 6 years and 6 Cases. I had counselling for my Son there but they emotionally abused him there while in therapy.
Having remembered they abused him there, I don't want any Counselling done by CPS so I had my own Counselling for my Son, and have Counselling for myself as well. CPS was going to bring up Counselling with CPS again, but I had Counselling ALREADY so they dropped the issue. They closed my 5th Case after they found out that I had Counselling some where else at a Private Organization.
But I know that my Private Counsellor shares information with CPS. This much I know is true because she emailled him wanting to know if there are any concerns that he tells her.
So anything your GF tells her Counsellor, CPS is going to want to know about it. but having a different CPS at another AGENCY that is not associated with CPS is very helpful. She closed out my Case. That was the end of it.
It could be that your GF gets her own Counselling, that CPS won't bother her anymore and she has to complete it all, then she could get her Child back this way. But it is better than having CPS involved in everything little thing with you. I would rather have it somewhere else where it is more "closed doors" to them. But I learned to talk less in these sessions knowing that anything I tell them will be transferred back to CPS.
To have your own Counselling and have CPS to back off? I don't really know. I guess it depends on each CW and her Supervisor. They let go of my case and closed it out after the fact I had my own Counsellor.
But I know from my experience, I had 2 Service Plans with CPS in the past, in having 6 years and 6 Cases. I had counselling for my Son there but they emotionally abused him there while in therapy.
Having remembered they abused him there, I don't want any Counselling done by CPS so I had my own Counselling for my Son, and have Counselling for myself as well. CPS was going to bring up Counselling with CPS again, but I had Counselling ALREADY so they dropped the issue. They closed my 5th Case after they found out that I had Counselling some where else at a Private Organization.
But I know that my Private Counsellor shares information with CPS. This much I know is true because she emailled him wanting to know if there are any concerns that he tells her.
So anything your GF tells her Counsellor, CPS is going to want to know about it. but having a different CPS at another AGENCY that is not associated with CPS is very helpful. She closed out my Case. That was the end of it.
It could be that your GF gets her own Counselling, that CPS won't bother her anymore and she has to complete it all, then she could get her Child back this way. But it is better than having CPS involved in everything little thing with you. I would rather have it somewhere else where it is more "closed doors" to them. But I learned to talk less in these sessions knowing that anything I tell them will be transferred back to CPS.
To have your own Counselling and have CPS to back off? I don't really know. I guess it depends on each CW and her Supervisor. They let go of my case and closed it out after the fact I had my own Counsellor.
It is easy to steal from poor people. But don't do it. And don't take advantage of those poor people in court. The Lord is on their side. He supports them and he will take things away from any person that takes from them.~ Proverbs 22:22
Fed. govt. explanation of mental health evaluation
Fed. govt. explanation of mental health evaluation
Department of Health and Human Services
http://216.109.125.130/search/cache?p=m ... 1&.intl=us
MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS
Children and parents may be referred for evaluations for legal or forensic purposes or for case planning
and treatment purposes. Clarifying the reasons for the evaluation referral is important. The mental health
professional needs to identify the questions that need to be answered by this evaluation and the purposes
for which this information will be used. Professionals from the fields of criminal justice and CPS making
referrals may need information about mental health evaluations, what questions can be answered, the
different objectives of forensic and clinical assessments, psychological testing, and consultation on how to
interpret the results of psychological assessments. Mental health professionals must also understand the
difference between forensic and clinical evaluations, clearly explain their role to the client(s), and clarify
for clients such issues as client confidentiality and release of information as they relate to each type of
evaluation.
FORENSIC EVALUATIONS
Children are referred for evaluations by law enforcement investigators, attorneys for the defense or
prosecution, or by CPS for help in determining whether abuse occurred.
Sexually abused children are most commonly referred for this reason
because the case is often entirely based on statements made by the child,
and it has been determined that a specially trained clinician is needed to perform the interview.
Physical findings from medical/evidentiary exams, which can support the case, are only present in about
28 percent of the cases.
This is in contrast to physical abuse and neglect cases,
in which the case is largely based on the physical evidence.
Because child sexual abuse cases are mainly based on children’s reports of what happened,
children are
frequently subjected to multiple interviews by multiple interviewers.
The purposes of these various
interviews are to obtain information for criminal investigations and make child protective custody decisions.
Multiple interviews by multiple interviewers have been found to be emotionally damaging to children.
Multidisciplinary interview centers are beginning to be established in some communities to reduce this trauma to children.
At these sites, specially trained specialists conduct interviews that meet the needs of both criminal and CPS investigations.
Law enforcement investigators, CPS social workers, and
prosecutors observe the interviews behind a one-way glass.
The interviews are also videotaped to reduce
the need for repeated interviews.
Because many communities have not yet established this practice, it is not uncommon for mental health
professionals to receive referrals for forensic evaluations of children.
Other reasons for these referrals
are: the child shows behavioral symptoms of being sexually abused, but will not make any verbal
statements; allegations in divorce/child custody disputes include abuse or neglect; confusion or conflict
exists in the case, and an independent professional is needed to sort out the issues; and, recently, in
physical abuse cases, mental health professionals have been called on to testify on “battered child
syndrome” as a defense for homicide. These are cases in which adolescents have murdered their parents24after years of physical and emotional abuse.
Since nearly all of these types of evaluations require
submitting a report to the court and testifying,
mental health professionals must be prepared to defend their
conclusions and recommendations, their education and credentials, and their knowledge of the literature.
The primary purposes of the forensic evaluation are to determine if there is sufficient information to file charges related to child maltreatment
and if the child is sufficiently capable of providing valid and reliable
information.
Typically, this involves determining the child’s ability to recall information (i.e., developmental, intellectual, and affective functioning),
acquiring basic information about the complaint,
and documenting psychological
and behavioral symptoms associated with abuse that support the allegation.
This type of assessment requires knowledge of child development to enable the clinician to understand the
abilities of a child to recall information at various ages,
how to approach and interview children,
and how to interpret the information provided by the child.
A pitfall to avoid in interviewing young children for legal
purposes is to ask leading questions that suggest the answer.
Training with law enforcement investigators is recommended
to distinguish between an appropriate question
and a leading question that suggests or
promotes an answer.
Videotaping interviews may be helpful to preserve the child’s answers to questions
and document the manner in which they were asked.
The following format can be used in these evaluations:
Identifying information about the victim:
Name, address, phone number, age, birth date,
school information (grade, teacher’s name), etc.?
Information about the victim’s family:
Family size and membership, sibling ages,
occupation(s) of parent(s) or means of financial support, description of other people living in the home,
and description of all persons responsible for the child’s care.?Descriptive information about the type and frequency of the offense:
Specific information about what occurred, when, how often, duration (weeks, months, or years), events
that occurred just prior to and after the abuse, and whether siblings or other children were abused.
For sexual abuse cases, it is also important to ask if photographs were taken or if videotapes were made.?
Identifying information about the suspected perpetrator(s):
Name, address, age, relationship to the victim (e.g., parent, friend, babysitter, relative), and whether there were one
or more suspected perpetrators.
In families with multiple male spouse/partners, it is important
to distinguish between “Daddy John” or “Daddy Mike” to avoid implicating the wrong person.?
Acquisition of information about any witnesses to the abuse/neglect:
Identification of other people who might have observed or participated in the abuse, been involved as additional
victims, and/or who might have important information about the abuse/neglect, etc.?
Documentation of psychological reactions and behavioral symptoms :
While psychological reactions and behavioral symptoms can be documented to support the allegation(s),
symptoms alone, without other evidence, are usually not acceptable for
investigative agencies to substantiate that abuse/neglect occurred.
Parents
Evaluations are performed of both abusive parents and nonoffending parents.
The purpose of the evaluation of abusive parents is
to assess their mental status;
the presence of personality disorders, psychiatric problems, or psychopathology;
character strengths and weaknesses;
the precipitant of the abuse/neglect
and whether the precipitants are chronic or situational;
whether the person has a substance abuse problem;
whether the parent admits or denies the abuse/neglect
and can acknowledge the emotional or physical consequences to the child;
whether the parent is amenable to treatment;
the type of treatment recommended;
whether incarceration is recommended;
and the presence or absence of supportive family
and friends.
The purpose of the evaluation of nonabusive parents includes all of the issues listed above
with the exception of recommendations for incarceration.
The main focus of this evaluation is the nonabusive
parent’s ability to protect the child
given the presence of any mental health, characterological, or substance abuse problems.
This evaluation extends to the nonabusive parent’s relationship to the abusive parent
from the standpoint of whether they are intimidated by or dependent on the abuser
and whether they are able and willing to protect the child and comply with court orders.
CLINICAL EVALUATIONS OF CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND FAMILIES
The purpose of the clinical evaluation is to assess the nature and extent of the presenting problem(s),
the client’s current level of functioning,
the client’s capabilities of improved functioning,
and the client’s willingness and motivation to participate in treatment.
etc. - go to the link and real it all
Department of Health and Human Services
http://216.109.125.130/search/cache?p=m ... 1&.intl=us
MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATIONS
Children and parents may be referred for evaluations for legal or forensic purposes or for case planning
and treatment purposes. Clarifying the reasons for the evaluation referral is important. The mental health
professional needs to identify the questions that need to be answered by this evaluation and the purposes
for which this information will be used. Professionals from the fields of criminal justice and CPS making
referrals may need information about mental health evaluations, what questions can be answered, the
different objectives of forensic and clinical assessments, psychological testing, and consultation on how to
interpret the results of psychological assessments. Mental health professionals must also understand the
difference between forensic and clinical evaluations, clearly explain their role to the client(s), and clarify
for clients such issues as client confidentiality and release of information as they relate to each type of
evaluation.
FORENSIC EVALUATIONS
Children are referred for evaluations by law enforcement investigators, attorneys for the defense or
prosecution, or by CPS for help in determining whether abuse occurred.
Sexually abused children are most commonly referred for this reason
because the case is often entirely based on statements made by the child,
and it has been determined that a specially trained clinician is needed to perform the interview.
Physical findings from medical/evidentiary exams, which can support the case, are only present in about
28 percent of the cases.
This is in contrast to physical abuse and neglect cases,
in which the case is largely based on the physical evidence.
Because child sexual abuse cases are mainly based on children’s reports of what happened,
children are
frequently subjected to multiple interviews by multiple interviewers.
The purposes of these various
interviews are to obtain information for criminal investigations and make child protective custody decisions.
Multiple interviews by multiple interviewers have been found to be emotionally damaging to children.
Multidisciplinary interview centers are beginning to be established in some communities to reduce this trauma to children.
At these sites, specially trained specialists conduct interviews that meet the needs of both criminal and CPS investigations.
Law enforcement investigators, CPS social workers, and
prosecutors observe the interviews behind a one-way glass.
The interviews are also videotaped to reduce
the need for repeated interviews.
Because many communities have not yet established this practice, it is not uncommon for mental health
professionals to receive referrals for forensic evaluations of children.
Other reasons for these referrals
are: the child shows behavioral symptoms of being sexually abused, but will not make any verbal
statements; allegations in divorce/child custody disputes include abuse or neglect; confusion or conflict
exists in the case, and an independent professional is needed to sort out the issues; and, recently, in
physical abuse cases, mental health professionals have been called on to testify on “battered child
syndrome” as a defense for homicide. These are cases in which adolescents have murdered their parents24after years of physical and emotional abuse.
Since nearly all of these types of evaluations require
submitting a report to the court and testifying,
mental health professionals must be prepared to defend their
conclusions and recommendations, their education and credentials, and their knowledge of the literature.
The primary purposes of the forensic evaluation are to determine if there is sufficient information to file charges related to child maltreatment
and if the child is sufficiently capable of providing valid and reliable
information.
Typically, this involves determining the child’s ability to recall information (i.e., developmental, intellectual, and affective functioning),
acquiring basic information about the complaint,
and documenting psychological
and behavioral symptoms associated with abuse that support the allegation.
This type of assessment requires knowledge of child development to enable the clinician to understand the
abilities of a child to recall information at various ages,
how to approach and interview children,
and how to interpret the information provided by the child.
A pitfall to avoid in interviewing young children for legal
purposes is to ask leading questions that suggest the answer.
Training with law enforcement investigators is recommended
to distinguish between an appropriate question
and a leading question that suggests or
promotes an answer.
Videotaping interviews may be helpful to preserve the child’s answers to questions
and document the manner in which they were asked.
The following format can be used in these evaluations:
Identifying information about the victim:
Name, address, phone number, age, birth date,
school information (grade, teacher’s name), etc.?
Information about the victim’s family:
Family size and membership, sibling ages,
occupation(s) of parent(s) or means of financial support, description of other people living in the home,
and description of all persons responsible for the child’s care.?Descriptive information about the type and frequency of the offense:
Specific information about what occurred, when, how often, duration (weeks, months, or years), events
that occurred just prior to and after the abuse, and whether siblings or other children were abused.
For sexual abuse cases, it is also important to ask if photographs were taken or if videotapes were made.?
Identifying information about the suspected perpetrator(s):
Name, address, age, relationship to the victim (e.g., parent, friend, babysitter, relative), and whether there were one
or more suspected perpetrators.
In families with multiple male spouse/partners, it is important
to distinguish between “Daddy John” or “Daddy Mike” to avoid implicating the wrong person.?
Acquisition of information about any witnesses to the abuse/neglect:
Identification of other people who might have observed or participated in the abuse, been involved as additional
victims, and/or who might have important information about the abuse/neglect, etc.?
Documentation of psychological reactions and behavioral symptoms :
While psychological reactions and behavioral symptoms can be documented to support the allegation(s),
symptoms alone, without other evidence, are usually not acceptable for
investigative agencies to substantiate that abuse/neglect occurred.
Parents
Evaluations are performed of both abusive parents and nonoffending parents.
The purpose of the evaluation of abusive parents is
to assess their mental status;
the presence of personality disorders, psychiatric problems, or psychopathology;
character strengths and weaknesses;
the precipitant of the abuse/neglect
and whether the precipitants are chronic or situational;
whether the person has a substance abuse problem;
whether the parent admits or denies the abuse/neglect
and can acknowledge the emotional or physical consequences to the child;
whether the parent is amenable to treatment;
the type of treatment recommended;
whether incarceration is recommended;
and the presence or absence of supportive family
and friends.
The purpose of the evaluation of nonabusive parents includes all of the issues listed above
with the exception of recommendations for incarceration.
The main focus of this evaluation is the nonabusive
parent’s ability to protect the child
given the presence of any mental health, characterological, or substance abuse problems.
This evaluation extends to the nonabusive parent’s relationship to the abusive parent
from the standpoint of whether they are intimidated by or dependent on the abuser
and whether they are able and willing to protect the child and comply with court orders.
CLINICAL EVALUATIONS OF CHILDREN, PARENTS, AND FAMILIES
The purpose of the clinical evaluation is to assess the nature and extent of the presenting problem(s),
the client’s current level of functioning,
the client’s capabilities of improved functioning,
and the client’s willingness and motivation to participate in treatment.
etc. - go to the link and real it all
Expert witness testimony - HHS
Expert witness testimony - HHS
The Role of Mental Health Professionalsin the Prevention and Treatment ofChild Abuse and NeglectMarilyn Strachan PetersonAnthony J. Urquiza1993U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesAdministration for Children and FamiliesAdministration on Children, Youth and FamiliesNational Center on Child Abuse and NeglectThis manual was developed and produced by The Circle, Inc., McLean, VA,
under Contract No. HHS-105-88-1702.
http://216.109.125.130/search/cache?p=m ... 1&.intl=us
They list the same guidelines given above, but here are the guidelines for expert witness testimony.
EXPERT WITNESS
Mental health professionals may be called to render an opinion or testify as an expert witness in Juvenile,
Family, or Criminal Court.
The purpose of the Juvenile or Family Court adjudication hearing is to
determine whether the child needs protection through court-ordered supervision of the family
or whether the child must be removed from the home for a period of time to establish conditions for parental action for
family reunification.
The mental health professional may be asked to testify
either to provide support for social service agency recommendations in the case or,
if the professional has been working with the parent, support the parent’s objectives.
This is usually not a jury trial but a hearing conducted by a judge.
Mental health professionals are also called to serve as expert witnesses in criminal trials for the prosecution or the defense,
if felony offenses are charged.
Expert witnesses have the following responsibilities:
?to provide objective testimony whether one is testifying for the prosecution or the defense;
?to be a scholar in the field or related fields,
and be familiar with or have contributed to the literature in that field;
?to be an active or recently active investigator in the field, if testifying on research matters,
or be an active or recently active clinician in the field, if testifying on clinical matters;
?to consider the role of expert witness as a minimal part of professional activity
and not as a profession (in other words, the main activities of an expert witness should be those of scholar,
clinician, teacher, or investigator in the field of expertise);
?to be aware of the legal and ethical impact of the testimony,
and the importance and potential consequences of the testimony to the people involved in the case;
?to be aware of the basic elements of the law and the legal procedures with which the expert will be involved;
?to understand that it is the expert’s job to provide information and/or render an opinion,
not to win or lose the case,
and, therefore, avoid becoming consumed with the adversarial
atmosphere of the legal process; and
?to obtain all the facts from the attorneys and clients(s) to avoid being surprised
by damaging information later in the legal process.
The Role of Mental Health Professionalsin the Prevention and Treatment ofChild Abuse and NeglectMarilyn Strachan PetersonAnthony J. Urquiza1993U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesAdministration for Children and FamiliesAdministration on Children, Youth and FamiliesNational Center on Child Abuse and NeglectThis manual was developed and produced by The Circle, Inc., McLean, VA,
under Contract No. HHS-105-88-1702.
http://216.109.125.130/search/cache?p=m ... 1&.intl=us
They list the same guidelines given above, but here are the guidelines for expert witness testimony.
EXPERT WITNESS
Mental health professionals may be called to render an opinion or testify as an expert witness in Juvenile,
Family, or Criminal Court.
The purpose of the Juvenile or Family Court adjudication hearing is to
determine whether the child needs protection through court-ordered supervision of the family
or whether the child must be removed from the home for a period of time to establish conditions for parental action for
family reunification.
The mental health professional may be asked to testify
either to provide support for social service agency recommendations in the case or,
if the professional has been working with the parent, support the parent’s objectives.
This is usually not a jury trial but a hearing conducted by a judge.
Mental health professionals are also called to serve as expert witnesses in criminal trials for the prosecution or the defense,
if felony offenses are charged.
Expert witnesses have the following responsibilities:
?to provide objective testimony whether one is testifying for the prosecution or the defense;
?to be a scholar in the field or related fields,
and be familiar with or have contributed to the literature in that field;
?to be an active or recently active investigator in the field, if testifying on research matters,
or be an active or recently active clinician in the field, if testifying on clinical matters;
?to consider the role of expert witness as a minimal part of professional activity
and not as a profession (in other words, the main activities of an expert witness should be those of scholar,
clinician, teacher, or investigator in the field of expertise);
?to be aware of the legal and ethical impact of the testimony,
and the importance and potential consequences of the testimony to the people involved in the case;
?to be aware of the basic elements of the law and the legal procedures with which the expert will be involved;
?to understand that it is the expert’s job to provide information and/or render an opinion,
not to win or lose the case,
and, therefore, avoid becoming consumed with the adversarial
atmosphere of the legal process; and
?to obtain all the facts from the attorneys and clients(s) to avoid being surprised
by damaging information later in the legal process.
-
pamom2crew
- Posts: 332
- Joined: Mon May 22, 2006 10:02 am
- Location: pennsylvania
- Contact:
Your best bet for your gf would be for her to go to a victims intervention program, type counselor...they are the best. They are free, they don't keep any files or any paperwork on anyone or anything that is said..because everything is 100% confidential, and they will only help her with talking to cps, if she wants them to.
CPS could never subpoena records from that type program or anything...so she should feel comfortable enough to talk with someone there.
It's just an idea, but it works for me and my daughter.
CPS could never subpoena records from that type program or anything...so she should feel comfortable enough to talk with someone there.
It's just an idea, but it works for me and my daughter.
wrongly accused mom of 7 great kids
"never give up"
"never give up"
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