“I Don’t Know Her” When a GAL Blocks Therapy That Isn’t in Their Network

A mother recently tried to get her child into therapy. She found a qualified provider. Trauma-informed. Licensed. Neutral.

And what did the GAL say?

“No. I don’t know her. I’ve never worked with her. I’ll only approve therapists I’ve worked with before.”

Let that sink in.

This wasn’t about credentials.

It wasn’t about fit.

It wasn’t even about the child.

It was about control.

When a GAL refuses to allow therapy unless they’ve “worked with the provider before,” they are telling you three things:

They have a preferred list of professionals who align with their views.

They are not open to independent observation or new perspectives.

They are curating the narrative before the therapist ever meets the child.

This is not child advocacy.

This is system preservation.

Why They Don’t Want “New” Therapists?

GALs often say they choose therapists they’ve worked with “because they know the court system.”

Translation:

“They know how to speak our language, protect our reputation, and avoid making waves.”

But what happens when a truly neutral therapist steps in?

They might uncover manipulation.

They might recognize alienation.

They might support the protective parent.

And that threatens everything.

Red Flags Every Parent Should Know

When a GAL:

Denies your child access to therapy because they “don’t know” the provider

Pushes only therapists who appear regularly in their cases

Refuses to even meet with your chosen provider or review their credentials

Frames outside providers as “biased” simply for not being in their network

You’re not dealing with child advocacy, you’re dealing with case management.

Ask This Out Loud in Court

“Is this therapist being selected based on their relationship with the GAL or their ability to help my child?”

“Why is the GAL limiting mental health providers to only people they’ve worked with before?”

“What’s the risk in allowing a licensed, trauma-informed therapist to treat my child independently?”

Force them to say the quiet part out loud.

A GAL who blocks therapy because they don’t “know” the provider isn’t protecting your child, they’re protecting the court’s narrative.

Your child’s mental health should never be limited to someone’s professional inner circle.

Therapy isn’t supposed to serve the GAL.

It’s supposed to serve the child.

And any system that forgets that, is already abusing them.