Family Counseling

[MommyX4StepX1]

Does my husband need the biomom's permission to have his daughter (biomom has full custody) participate in family counseling with us?

My stepdaughter has behavioral problems that effect our family.
Biomom won't take their daughter back to counseling.
As a family we don't know what else to do but go to family counseling.
Stepdaughter hurts herself and her siblings when she doesn't get her way or is told no.
Her actions are clearly from something going on with her.

When my husband, the old counselor and I called CPS on the biomom's boyfriend for leaving a huge bruise on my stepdaughter, My stepdaughter's behavior was soo much better. Then the boyfriend got a dismissal for the abuse. The judge said the boyfriend was just disciplining the daughter and she was not in immediate danger.
Since this court date (my stepdaughter did testify against the boyfriend in open court) She has been so bad. She sucks her thumb constantly, talks like a baby and throws tantrums like a 3 years old. She kicks screams and hurts herself by banging her head on the wall or hurts her siblings.

Obviously something is going on. Can we go to family counseling with out the permission of the full custodial parent?

[Ref]

should say whether there is joint decision making or not. If so, I would recommend a letter of your intent to do the therapy and ask her for any objections in writing by a week of receipt of the intent letter.


Good Luck
Ref

[MommyX4StepX1]

Biomom has sole care, custody and control of minor child.
As for medical it states that both parents have  access to all treating medical personal for the child. Both parents may initiate emergency health care for the child and agree to notify the other as soon as possible.
 The parties agree to discuss all issues concerning the child, such as health and medical, school related problems and decisions, and any behavioral or disciplinary issues which could impact both households.

Biomom will not discuss anything with my husband and if my husband suggests anything she will go against it. Especially if it involves counseling for their daughter.

I was hoping we could side step the counseling issue if we go as a family not individual counseling. Since her behavior impacts the entire family.

My step daughter does not have any siblings at her biomom's home.

[joni]

Post your question on the Dear Socrateaser forum.  Be sure to post the exact wording from your court order with regards to sole custody as well as the medical care.  Otherwise, he won't answer you.