Section 838. Petitioner and respondent may have friend or relative present

Unless the court shall find it  undesirable,  the  petitioner  shall  be
  entitled  to  a non-witness friend, relative, counselor or social worker
  present in the court room. This section  does  not  authorize  any  such
  person  to take part in the proceedings. However, at any time during the
  proceeding, the court may call such person as a witness and take his  or
  her   testimony.  Unless  the  court  shall  find  it  undesirable,  the
  respondent  shall  be  entitled  to  a  non-witness  friend,   relative,
  counselor  or  social worker present in the court room in the event such
  respondent is not represented by legal counsel. This  section  does  not
  authorize  any such person to take part in the proceedings.  However, at
  any time during the proceeding, the court may  call  such  person  as  a
  witness and take his or her testimony.