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| Dr. Bowden, Van Psych-Ed Services Site |
Prepared for a 2009 Child Protection Conference, Dr. Bowden's article is entitled, “Parenting Capacity Assessments: A PsychologistsPerspective.”
We know that Dr. Bowden’s service in the Bayne case is paid by the MCFD. That can make parents like the Baynes understandably nervous. Yet Bowden has written a provocative paragraph. Understanding that this paper is intended for diverse child protection personnel, Dr. Bowden’s remarks express a level of objectivity that is encouraging. “While in most cases the PCA is initiated and paid for by MCFD, the psychologist’s job is to consider the whole circumstances of the parent’s situation including their relationship with MCFD. MCFD social workers and others make operating assumptions about their clients that may be erroneous. The psychologist’s job is to increase understanding of the client so as to make it more likely that a constructive working relationship can be formed between social worker and client leading to a return of the child or children.”
The reason why this PCA of the Baynes has been required by MCFD is explained in Bowden’s introductory remarks. “These assessments are typically only requested by the Ministry or by counsel in exceptional cases where there is significant disagreement or confusion as to how to plan for the children and family.”
Dr. Bowden knows how difficult a PCA can be for parents, so as he comes to Paul and Zabeth who have been embroiled with the MCFD for well over three years, he is keenly aware of the anxiety they may feel. Here is what he has written. “A PCA is usually a stressful undertaking for a parent. Their confidence is usually low and they may feel embattled and resentful for the situation they find themselves in. Some may have had past experiences in which errors from authorities led to negative views of them or their actions. They are often highly motivated to present well, which sometimes results in some of the psychological test results being compromised.”
The Baynes are not people with addictions or mental problems or inabilities to function normally in life. The Baynes have hundreds of supporters, a constant network of close friends, many of whom will help the Baynes, in fact have contributed thousands of dollars to assist with legal costs, and who when asked will step forward to do anything for them to make their parenting tasks less than onerous or unmanageable. It is for these reasons that the MCFD files cannot be the psychologist’s primary information source. There is no problem, major or trifling to which the Ministry can point with regard to the Baynes which supports the hypothesis of risk. I say that because of one of Dr. Bowden’s key paragraphs.
“It is important to realize that ultimately it is the parent’s ability to function that is important and must be determined. A serious mental illness or brain damage does not automatically preclude an individual from fulfilling their role as a parent. The courts are clear that the presence of a major problem is only relevant if it can be demonstrated that the problem results in a significant impairment to the individual’s ability to parent.”
Dr. Bowden has been providing this consultation for a long time and conducted many PCA’s and written numerous reports, some of which have been accepted by MCFD and some which have been considered but rejected. Predictably what MCFD has rejected is a positive pro-parent report. A link to Can LII website The Law Society of British Columbia) yields this index of references to Dr. Bowden’s cases when fed the search words “Bowden, Director,Child”.
Dr. Conrad Bowden is an experienced registered psychologist working with families and children. He has a special interest in learning disabilities and behavioural problems common in school age children. It is noteworthy that he is the parent of a child with a learning disability and consequently he considers it important to understand clearly the learning strengths and weaknesses of children with different learning styles. This information is provided on the home page of Vancouver Psych-Ed Services for Children.
Dr. Bowden's cv is located here at Vancouver Psych-Ed Services for Children.
His online contact information:
Dr. Conrad Bowden
260 – 2184 West Broadway, Vancouver
Phone: (604) 732-3388
*Serving Children, Adolescents and Adults
On a separate topic, here is another case posted in the Toronto Sun, of a parent (Richard Brant), who was forced to plead guilty to a crime against their child which they did not commit in order to avoid years of dragged out conflict like the Bayne's have, given that he was expecting another child. http://www.torontosun.com/2011/05/04/father-acquitted-in-disgraced-pathologist-case.
ReplyDeleteMr. Brant spent time in jail for this "miscarriage of justice" and his life was destroyed, in his own words. Thank you Bayne family for standing up for what is right and not giving into the pressure of the MCFD to plead guilty for something you did not do. Perhaps the Ministry will be less likely to villify and deny justice (not even BOTHER to seek a 2nd medical opinion!) to another parent. Shame on you, MCFD.
In respect Dr. Bowden I say whoohoo yeah!
ReplyDeletewhat you said about this, is what I have been trying to say in respect to my own case this is encouraging! God Bless the Baynes! Lisa