Dear Suzanne, try to talk to your client first privately, on the phone if
you have to, try to find out the situation of why her father is there, i.e.
is it coming from her or him. Make arrangements as privately as possible
with her (whatever reaction comes from this will indicate whether there is a
problem or not hopefully). Personally, I wouldn't PREVENT him coming as I
would be concerned about losing the case. If he does come you will
inadvertently be interviewing him as well, so be prepared - try and get him
to talk about why she wouldn't eat at 3/4 years old etc. But I guess what
will be will be. There is a limit how you can intervene and this might all
be completely innocent. Tread carefully and professionally and caringly - as
Soroush suggested encourage the father to believe in the benefit of a
private consultation. Go with the flow, if it gets stuck arrange to talk
privately with her over the phone when she is completely alone at home.
You ask about not mentioning her mother - she is very bound up with the pain
and a lot of other issues at the moment and might not have volunteered any
info about her mother. Casetaking should always include aspects of childhood
and attitudes towards parents and siblings. Then there are no question marks
left. But I have a feeling this case might take quite a long time to
unravel. Another thing to remember is that you might be helping to take the
lid off an awful lot of emotions, perhaps have on hand some backup quality
counselling to refer her to if necessary. I am hoping our instincts are
wrong on this.
Best wishes, Joy
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