{"id":2162,"date":"2018-05-10T12:20:00","date_gmt":"2018-05-10T16:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/live-coto.pantheonsite.io\/?post_type=resource&p=2162"},"modified":"2025-01-16T12:44:30","modified_gmt":"2025-01-16T17:44:30","slug":"obtaining-consent-from-a-minor","status":"publish","type":"resource","link":"https:\/\/www.coto.org\/resources\/obtaining-consent-from-a-minor\/","title":{"rendered":"Obtaining consent from a minor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n
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Background<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Lowan, an occupational therapist (OT) working in a publicly funded youth mental health program, is contacted by 14-year-old Xander, who requests counselling services due to recent bullying he has experienced in school. Lowan asks if Xander\u2019s parents or guardians are aware he\u2019s seeking occupational therapy services. Xander says they\u2019re not and he doesn\u2019t want his parents to know he\u2019s being bullied or seeking counselling. Lowan is unsure how to proceed as this is the first time a minor had sought his occupational therapy services without their parent\u2019s knowledge. He decides to have a discussion with Xander about the nature of the bullying and his reasons for not wanting to involve his parents in the counselling sessions. Xander tells Lowan his parents are going through some marital issues, and he doesn\u2019t want to add any further stress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lowan proceeds to discuss the role of occupational therapy, what the sessions would entail, the risks and benefits as well as the consequences of not proceeding with counselling and other options available through the youth program. Lowan asks some questions to determine what Xander understands from the conversation. Xander provides answers that demonstrate a depth of understanding about the nature of services and an appreciation for the consequences of proceeding or not proceeding. Lowan determines Xander has the capacity to consent to the occupational therapy services and explains to Xander that he will provide the counselling services, however he would be obligated to inform Xander\u2019s parents or others if he felt at any time Xander was at risk of harm due to the bullying. Xander agrees and provides informed consent to proceed with the occupational therapy services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four weeks into the counselling sessions, Lowan receives an angry voicemail from Xander\u2019s mom, who has discovered Xander is receiving counselling without her consent. Lowan wonders how he should respond.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Considerations<\/h2>\n <\/div>\n\n
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