What is the Credibility of a Play Therapist's Testimony in Custody Proceedings
My question involves a child custody case from the State of: Texas
My wife and I are trying to lift a geographic restriction to move elsewhere in the State of Texas from her ex-husband. That is not my question though. She told me that before she met me her 5 year old worked with a certified play therapist. She told my wife that at our oldest father's house abuse/violence was going on causing the five year old to be violent and angry to other people. My question is what is the credibility of a play therapist in determining custody? She told my wife she has notes and will testify for her, but how will that stand up in court? To clarify: there is no abuse against the children. The play therapist will testify that the Dad's house was violent or abusive at times. I don't know if that means with his new wife or what. Any help?
Re: What is the Credibility of a Play Therapist's Testimony in Custody Proceedings
Did these alleged events take place before or after the most recent custody order?
Re: What is the Credibility of a Play Therapist's Testimony in Custody Proceedings
The play therapy took place with the 5 year old and the therapist at her office about one year ago. That is after the most recent custody order
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Anybody there? Thank you for your time.
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I guess my question now is: why does it matter how long ago the therapy was? I understand how it has to be after the most recent custody order.
Thx
Re: What is the Credibility of a Play Therapist's Testimony in Custody Proceedings
If you need to discuss these matters urgently, you should call your lawyer. Forums tend not to work like that.
When the alleged events -- the stuff the therapist is theorizing happened at dad's house -- occur relative to the order?
Re: What is the Credibility of a Play Therapist's Testimony in Custody Proceedings
Hello,
I texted my wife earlier, she said they occured and it came out during play therapy after the most recent order.
Re: What is the Credibility of a Play Therapist's Testimony in Custody Proceedings
Depending on what is involved in the "play therapy", it's possible that the therapist's techniques are not sound, and it's certainly possible that her interpretations are not sound. If the therapist is making interpretations of play and drawings, her belief as to whether and when certain events may have occurred may be purely speculative. If mom didn't take them seriously enough to act on them a year ago, when the allegations were fresh, the court may also question why she's raising them now.
Mom should discuss her case in detail with her lawyer.
Re: What is the Credibility of a Play Therapist's Testimony in Custody Proceedings
A lot also depends on the therapist. The courts have some therapists that they don't put much, if any faith in, based on experience. If Mom and/or the therapist didn't believe anything severe enough was happening to report it then. What good will it do to bring it up now ?
Re: What is the Credibility of a Play Therapist's Testimony in Custody Proceedings
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Quoting
Mercy&Grace
What good will it do to bring it up now ?
The mother wants to grab everything possible to throw at the ex in the hope that something sticks so that she will get her way. That's why she wants to bring it up now.
Re: What is the Credibility of a Play Therapist's Testimony in Custody Proceedings
adjusterjack, yes, I get that. I just didn't express it correctly. Now that Mom wants something, it seems important enough to do something about. Judges and courts waste too much time on things like this.
Re: What is the Credibility of a Play Therapist's Testimony in Custody Proceedings
Quote:
Quoting
Mercy&Grace
Judges and courts waste too much time on things like this.
Parents waste too much of the time of judges and courts with this stuff. The judge cannot simply blow it off when the parent files some motion or petition seeking a change of custody. Until the court can hear the case, it’s often not possible to know which claims are total BS and which have some merit to it. So if you want to fix blame, put it on the parents who cannot seem to let go of the past and move on from their anger and bitter feelings towards their ex.
Re: What is the Credibility of a Play Therapist's Testimony in Custody Proceedings
Taxing Matters, that is what I meant to say. People want to use Judges and courts to get back at others or to be able to do what they want to do when someone else doesn't agree. Judges and courts go by the laws. They don't have time to refere adults fighting like children, but unfortunately they spend a lot of time with those type cases.