The applicant father brought a motion for an order compelling family therapy for his 16-year-old daughter, D, to support their relationship, which had deteriorated significantly.
The respondent mother and the Office of the Children's Lawyer, representing the child, opposed the motion.
The court dismissed the father's motion, giving considerable weight to the mature minor's strong and consistent opposition to forced therapy.
The court found that while it had jurisdiction to order therapy, the potential benefits did not outweigh the risks of exacerbating the child's physical and mental health issues, and that such an order would be practically unenforceable given the child's age and maturity.