Law and Ethics Practice Exam

When a minor seeks therapy and one parent is against it, what is the correct legal procedure for the therapist?

1. Have the teenager sign her own consent for treatment

2. Conduct a family therapy session to address the father's concerns

3. Have the mother sign consent for the client to receive therapy

4. Require both parents to consent before proceeding

The correct answer is: Have the mother sign consent for the client to receive therapy

In situations where a minor seeks therapy, the legal framework surrounding parental consent can become complex, often varying by jurisdiction. However, the option indicating that the mother signs consent for the client to receive therapy is a more appropriate legal procedure when considering the dynamics of parental authority. If one parent consents and the other objects, the therapist must navigate these competing interests carefully. Typically, therapists aim to honor the consent of the parent who is willing to support the child's therapy while also being mindful of the objections raised by the other parent. If the mother is amenable to allowing therapy, obtaining her signature ensures that there is at least one parent supporting the therapeutic process, which can be crucial in moving forward with treatment for the minor. The other options present challenges: having the teenager sign her own consent is generally not valid because minors are not legally able to consent to therapy in most jurisdictions; conducting a family therapy session could be beneficial but may not resolve the issue of consent; and requiring both parents to consent before proceeding could unnecessarily delay or prevent the minor from receiving necessary support if one parent remains opposed. Therefore, securing the consent of the supportive parent is a pragmatic and legally sound approach to facilitate the therapeutic process for the minor.