Suppose, after you're divorced, you believe that your child is having emotional issues and generally not coping well. So, you make arrangements for your child to see a mental health counselor. When the child's other parent learns of this, they react negatively and forbid the counselor from treating the child. The counselor refuses to see the child since both parents are not in agreement. Is this right? Can one parent alone stop a child from seeing a counselor to treat mental health issues?

This used to be a frequent occurrence between warring divorced parents who put their dislike toward one another above the best interests of their child. But, in 2016, as part of a comprehensive law concerning mental health and substance abuse, the Florida Legislature recognized the importance of mental health treatment for children whose divorced parents were involved in family disputes.



Now, if both parents have shared parental responsibility over health care decisions for their children, the law requires that the Parenting Plan provide that either parent may consent to mental health treatment for their child. If the other parent disagrees with your decision to seek help, their remedy is to go to court and present evidence as to why they object.