Written by Denise Baier, LMHC, and Eileen McIltrot, LCSW
Merriam-Webster offers 14 definitions of Time as a noun, 5 as a verb and 3 as an adjective. No wonder we have different perspectives of time and timeliness. But when it comes to professional relationships, time is nothing more than a subjective experience that can create havoc among professionals in a family law case.
We can use time to be courteous, advantageous, or even diplomatic. But when we take into account time as a consideration—now we’re talking! Considerate colleagues and constituents in family law pay attention to how something they want or need will effect another person. The effect of timing far too often produces a negative impact on persons who are enjoined in the needs or desires of others. We need to make it a rule of conduct to use consideration in our professional relationships. Some examples of time inconsideration are:
“But they said you’re my parenting coordinator.” Mental health professionals often learn that they have been named in an order after the order is signed and filed and starting to collect dust. But does anyone know if the expectation is within the the professional’s scope of practice and qualifications? Does the professional have time in his/her schedule? Does the professional have any conflicts of interest in the case? Does the professional even want to take on the case? When questions such as these are not considered, the court appointment becomes highly inconsiderate of two people: the professional and the client. It takes time for an order to be issued. The need for an appointment of a mental health professional was already deemed significant or there wouldn’t be a need for a legal action. Not doing the homework of vetting a professional to support the client causes time delays that could be detrimental and whose effects could be irreversible.
Special “Invitations” -Mental health professionals are strictly trained and ethically bound to protect the confidentiality of their interactions with their clients. Getting a special invitation (aka subpoena) to be present in court can be unsettling for most. Add to this the inconsiderate behavior of last minute notification which results in the mental health professional having to reschedule other deserving clients, no explanation of the necessity of the subpoena, or even worse having the professional served at their home (HIGHLY inappropriate!) and no wonder even the most experienced professional is likely to become quite disenchanted with the case and the legal professionals.
We’re all trying to do a good job in our particular professions. And most people practicing in the arena of family law have one goal in mind—to help the family reach a healthier state of functioning. Just being considerate in the notification of the need, considering the amount of time needed, specifying the time of day the mental health professional is needed at a court proceeding, and serving the subpoena timely are the most considerate ways to help all of our clients achieve greater stability and healing.
“But we were told you’d see us Mondays at 3.” We know it’s hard to believe sometimes, but mental health professionals actually juggle a complicated schedule of numerous clients who have a variety of needs. We try very hard to accommodate the complicated schedules of our working clients who also have children in school and activities and who are being pulled in many directions. But it is rarely possible to accommodate an order with specific time and days expected unless it is cleared with us in advance.
So the moral of the story is: talk to us, tell us what you need and we’ll work hard to accommodate you. We’ll gladly give you some of our time if you give us some of yours.