Scope of Practice and Court Involvement Policy
At The Redwood Center for Children and Families, our work is grounded in the principles of Child-Centered Play Therapy (CCPT), an approach built on relationship, trust, emotional safety, and the child’s right to express themselves freely without pressure, evaluation, or judgment.
Because of this, our role is fundamentally different from the role of the legal system.
The court system is designed to investigate, determine facts, and make legal decisions.
Therapy is designed to support healing, development, and emotional well-being.
These purposes require different methods, different relationships, and different expectations. When therapy becomes entangled in legal proceedings, the child’s sense of safety can be compromised. The playroom can begin to feel like a place where information is gathered, evaluated, or used against someone, rather than a place where the child is free to explore, process, and heal.
Our responsibility is to protect the therapeutic space and the child’s right to a relationship that is centered on healing.
For this reason, The Redwood Center does not participate in the court system.
What This Means in Practice
The Redwood Center for Children and Families does not:
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Conduct custody evaluations or parenting assessments
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Make custody or visitation recommendations
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Provide opinions regarding parental fitness
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Write reports or letters for court purposes
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Testify in court, provide depositions, or participate in legal proceedings
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Communicate with attorneys, investigators, or court personnel as part of litigation
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Serve as an expert witness or forensic evaluator
Our services are strictly therapeutic, with a focus on a child’s healing journey. We are not able to be investigators, evaluators, or legal advocates.
Our Commitment to Children’s Rights
Children have the right to a therapeutic relationship that is:
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Safe
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Confidential
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Free from divided loyalties
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Focused on healing rather than proving or disproving claims
In Child-Centered Play Therapy, the relationship itself is the intervention. The child’s trust in the therapist is essential. When therapy is used as part of a legal dispute, that trust can be strained or lost. We believe that protecting the integrity of the therapeutic relationship is an ethical responsibility and a matter of respecting children’s rights.
If a Case Becomes Court-Involved
Families sometimes enter therapy without legal involvement, and later become involved in custody disputes or other court proceedings. When this happens, we carefully evaluate whether continued therapy at The Redwood Center remains clinically appropriate and ethically responsible. In many situations, the most protective course of action is to transition services to a provider who is trained to work within the legal system.
We will make reasonable efforts to support continuity of care and provide referrals when needed.
Limited Legal-Related Services
In rare situations where legally permitted and clinically appropriate, administrative or professional time related to legal matters may be billed at a specialized rate due to the complexity, risk, and time demands involved.
This may include:
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Reviewing legal documents
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Preparing summaries of treatment
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Responding to subpoenas
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Consulting with attorneys when legally required
These services are billed at $300 per hour with additional charges for preparation time, documentation, and communication. Payment is required in advance. Availability for such services is limited and not guaranteed.
Our Position Is Clear and Intentional
This policy exists to protect:
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Children’s emotional safety
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The integrity of the therapeutic relationship
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Ethical clinical practice
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The healing purpose of therapy
We respect the legal system and the important role it plays. At the same time, we are committed to prioritizing our role as therapists.