Child Counselling

[PERRYLAMB]

My daughter is 7 years old.  She is in the custody of my wife and I am allowed to meet my daughter once a month during a court supervised visitation.  My daughter had been intermingling with me earlier but now she has stopped communicating with me, so much so, that she has started ignoring me to such an extent that she does not even enter the court room where my meeting is fixed with her.  I have to sometimes even take back the gifts that I bring for her.  In case there is a lawyer coming in on her behalf only with the court interference I have to get the gifts reach my child.  Even then I do not know if my daughter really gets the gifts are just are dicarded by her or her mother.  I am paying regularly for my child's maintenance and education.  It seems that my separated wife wants to end my relationship with my daughter which I do not wish.

I am thinking of seeking counselling of my child by her school's Counsellor Desk in this regard.  Is my move appropriate!!!  Otherwise what other alternative could I choose so that I could develop normal and a healthy relationship with my daughter.  

Please could you help!!!


PERRYLAMB

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Under the circumstances, there is no possibility of having a normal and healthy relationship - the circumstamces simply don't permit this. However, it is possible to make some progress on the interaction between you and your daughter during the contact that is allowed. The situation she is in, all by itself, is sufficient reason to pursue some therapy, and I would imagine the Court would support such an intervention (regardless of where the therapy occurs). I'm not so sure it's reasonable to ask the school to do the therapy, since there's only so much that should be asked of schools. However, if the school is willing there is no reason it can't occur in that setting.

[Sunshine5270]

I'm not a doctor, but I am experienced in family court.

You don't state why you have supervised visitation, and you don't state your "legal" custody status. If you have joint legal, you can SUGGEST to mom the child go to counseling, you cannot force the issue with her unless you file a court order demanding she put the child in counseling.

If you have no legal custody, you have no say whatsoever in her medical/psychological well being.

Again, with little facts, there is no way to help you.