Referral by the court for family therapy – how does it work and what are the possibilities of online therapy?
In situations where problems in the family escalate to such an extent that judicial intervention occurs, one of the solutions is often a referral to family therapy. The court may decide on the obligation to participate in therapeutic sessions, especially when the child’s best interests or other issues related to the functioning of the family are at stake. However, it is worth knowing that online family therapies are now increasingly available, which can facilitate the therapy process, especially in logistically difficult cases. If you have received a referral for such therapy, be sure to read what family therapy after referral by the court is about, what its organization looks like and what benefits the online form brings…
I invite you: Paulina Kubś, MA – psychologist and psychotherapist
Family therapy referred by the court – what is it about?
Family therapy is a form of psychotherapy that aims to improve relationships and communication between family members. In the case of referral by the court, this therapy is most often necessary when there are serious conflicts in the family and the interventions of other institutions have not brought the expected results. It can include a variety of situations, such as:
- divorces and child custody conflicts,
- educational problems,
- domestic violence,
- addiction-related issues,
- difficulties in the relationship between parents and children.
The court, depending on the situation, may require the family to undertake therapy to help resolve conflicts and improve the family’s situation. The family therapist then works not only on a single problem, but on the entire dynamics of the family, which helps to understand the deeper causes of conflicts.
What does the process of referral for therapy by the court look like?
The court’s decision to refer the family to therapy is based on an analysis of the situation by a judge who consults various institutions, such as social welfare centres or probation officers. Once the family has been referred to therapy, the court usually monitors the progress of the therapy and expects regular reports from the therapist.
Importantly, family therapy in such cases is often free of charge for participants, and the costs may be covered by the social welfare system or other forms of financial support. In the case of private online sessions, the costs are usually covered by the participants themselves, although there are also opportunities to subsidize such therapies.
According to Art. 113^4 of the Family and Guardianship Code, the guardianship court may oblige parents to take certain actions, including referring them to facilities dealing with family therapy or other forms of support.
Online family therapy after referral from the court as a modern form of support for the whole family
Thanks to the development of technology, more and more families decide to receive family therapy online. In recent years, this option has grown in popularity, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only accelerated this trend. Online therapy brings many benefits that can be crucial, especially in the case of families referred to therapy by the court.
Why Should You Consider Online Therapy?
Online family therapy is an ideal solution for people who:
- have difficulty getting to in-person sessions due to distance or lack of transportation options,
- live abroad, but want to continue therapy in Polish,
- have limited time to attend face-to-face sessions due to work or other commitments,
- feel more comfortable talking in a home environment, which can facilitate open communication,
- They are afraid of personal contact due to the pandemic or other health reasons.
Online consultations can be just as effective as traditional sessions in a therapy office. Thanks to specialized online platforms, the therapist is able to conduct a full-fledged session, offering support, guidance and tools to improve family relationships.
How does online family therapy work?
As with traditional sessions, online family therapy is based on regular meetings with a therapist, which can be done via video conferencing. The basic stages of therapy include:
- Diagnosis of problems – the first meetings are aimed at understanding the situation and identifying the main problems in the family.
- Working on relationships – the therapist helps family members improve communication, learn how to better resolve conflicts and understand each other’s needs.
- Monitoring progress – regular reports to the court make it possible to assess the effectiveness of therapy and possibly prolong the therapeutic process.
Importantly, the whole family must be involved in the therapeutic process so that it brings the expected results. Online sessions are just as interactive as stationary ones, and the availability of this type of therapy means that more and more families are using this modern form of support.
Is online therapy effective?
Research shows that online family therapy can be as effective as in-person sessions, provided that all participants are properly engaged. Therapists with experience in online work are able to perfectly adapt therapeutic tools to the virtual environment, which allows for effective sessions.
The benefit of online therapy is also the ability to flexibly adjust the hours of meetings, which allows you to avoid the stress associated with commuting or looking for the right date. Especially for families with multiple responsibilities, online therapy can prove to be easier to organize and less time-consuming.
What to do when the court refers us to family therapy…
Court-appointed family therapy can be a key step in improving relationships and communication in the family, especially in difficult situations. Today, thanks to the opportunities offered by technology, more and more families can take advantage of online therapy, which facilitates the participation process and increases the availability of professional support. If your family has been referred to therapy by the court or you are looking for support in difficult family relationships, consider the possibility of using online therapy, e.g. on the Psychotherapy IPSK website, where an experienced therapist will help improve communication and resolve conflicts.
Thanks to modern solutions, therapeutic support is at your fingertips, regardless of where you are.
Referral by the court for therapy – is it possible to refuse?
The refusal to participate in family therapy depends on the nature of the court’s decision and its obligatory. In some cases, therapy may be recommended rather than forced, which gives some freedom of choice. However, when the court imposes an obligation on therapy, refusal can have serious consequences.
What can be the consequences of refusal?
Refusal to participate in family therapy, when it is part of a court order, may lead to:
- Negative assessment of the parent’s attitude – in divorce or child custody cases, refusal to participate in therapy may affect the court’s decision regarding custody or contact with children.
- Further judicial intervention – in the event of non-cooperation, the court may take stricter measures, such as imposing additional obligations or restrictions.
- Criminal consequences – in extreme situations, refusal can result in financial penalties or other sanctions, especially when it comes to child protection.
Alternatives to Denial
If the family is objectionable to being referred to therapy, it is worth considering alternatives such as:
- Negotiating the terms of therapy – in some cases, it is possible to propose a different type of therapy or change the therapist.
- Participation in online therapy – if logistics or other reasons make inpatient therapy difficult, you can use online therapy, which can be a more convenient form of support.
A court’s refusal to refer you to family therapy can have serious legal and family consequences. It’s worth considering alternative options, such as online therapy, that can facilitate participation without the risk of violating court obligations.
Let’s summarize what are the main reasons why the court decides to refer you to family therapy?
The court may decide to refer parents to family therapy in various situations, which usually result from an analysis of the behavior of both parents and children. Here are the main reasons why the court makes such a decision:
- Educational problems – the court may notice the parents’ educational failure, which may manifest itself in inappropriate behaviour of children. Children often manifest problems as a result of conflicts or lack of proper care from their parents,
- Conflicts between parents – when parents are in conflict and their disputes affect the child’s well-being, the court may refer them to therapy to improve communication and cooperation on parenting issues,
- Lack of adequate living conditions – the court may react to situations in which the parents do not provide adequate living conditions for the child, which may include financial, health or addiction-related problems (e.g. alcoholism or drug addiction),
- Risky behaviour of children – if a child exhibits self-destructive behaviour or other emotional problems that may be the result of a family situation, the court may refer the parents to therapy to improve the situation34.
- Information from institutions – the court makes decisions based on information obtained from other institutions, such as schools, the police or social welfare centres. Reports of problems in the family may prompt the court to refer you to therapy,
- Conclusions from interviews and expert opinions – the court often uses the opinions of specialists (e.g. psychologists) and conducts community interviews to accurately assess the family’s situation and determine the need for referral for therapy24.
The decision to refer to family therapy is aimed not only at helping to solve current problems, but also at improving the functioning of the whole family and the well-being of the child.
What are the differences between family therapy and mediation?
Family therapy
- Goal – the main goal of family therapy is to improve relationships between family members and resolve conflicts. Therapists work to understand family dynamics and help identify the sources of problems.
- Method – therapy is based on cyclical meetings with a therapist who conducts conversations, enabling each family member to express their feelings and needs. The therapist acts as a neutral party, helping with communication and understanding.
- Scope – therapy includes all family members and focuses on their interactions and emotions.
Family mediation
- Goal – Mediation aims to reach an agreement between the parties to the conflict, without dealing with the deeper emotional aspects of the relationship. This is a more pragmatic approach to dispute resolution.
- Method – the mediator conducts talks in a neutral manner, focusing on establishing the terms of cooperation, e.g. in cases concerning children or the division of property. It is not a therapeutic process, so there is no analysis of emotions or relationship dynamics.
- Scope – mediation can only involve two parties (e.g. spouses) and does not necessarily involve the whole family.
Family counseling
- Goal – family counseling focuses on providing information and support in the field of raising children or solving specific problems.
- Method – counseling can be short-term and less intensive than therapy. It usually involves giving advice by a specialist who does not necessarily engage in a deeper analysis of the relationship.
- Scope – counselling may be specific to specific issues (e.g. raising children) and does not necessarily require the participation of all family members.
Differences
Family therapy differs from mediation and counseling primarily in its purpose and method of work. While therapy focuses on improving relationships and understanding emotions, mediation focuses on reaching agreement in conflicts, and counseling provides practical guidance without deeper emotional analysis. The choice of the right form of support depends on the specific needs and situation of a given family.
If you have been referred by the court for family therapy, there is no choice, but if you are looking for help, contact me and together we will determine what I can help you with.
Paulina Kubś – online family psychotherapist
psychotherapy-ipsk.com.pl
