Letters for Court, School, etc.

In response to the rising requests I am receiving to provide letters for a specific purpose (school, employment, or legal issues), I would like to clarify what my policy is on these requests.

There are very few circumstances in which I provide letters.  This is not because of an aversion or unwillingness to write letters or to advocate for my clients, but it is a decision that I have arrived at based on my understanding of my professional ethics code.   Any documentation I provide will also need a specific and detailed release from you after I have explained, to the best of my ability, the issues of informed consent involved.

Policy on Specific Letters 

  • Letters for Court – particularly Family Court
    • At this time, I do not perform child custody evaluations.  As such, I will not provide any written documentation regarding my opinions on parenting ability or what environment is best for a child.
  • Letters for Employers
    • I am willing to fill out any necessary paperwork to assist in areas where I have direct knowledge of the information being requested.
    • I am willing to confirm the dates of sessions and attendance as needed for excused work absences.
  • Letters for School
    • I am willing to confirm the dates of sessions and attendance as needed for excused absences.
    • I am willing to communicate with the school on matters where a child’s psychological and academic functioning may overlap in such a way that comprehensive treatment planning indicates this would be in their best interest.
  • Letters for Emotional Support Animals
    • With informed consent, I am willing to confirm your diagnosis as you pursue an ESA.  I do not, however, write letters that advocate for or prescribe an emotional support animal.

I will respond to any request for a letter in a timely manner after I carefully consider the legal and ethical questions involved. Depending on your unique situation, there may be a fee for letters that are not directly related to confirming dates of sessions and attendance to support an excused absence.  There is no fee for documentation provided to excuse an absence during a time that you were participating in evaluation or consultation.