My parents
are making me go to
therapy. I'm afraid that the
therapist will tell my parents what I say in session.
Answer:
What you tell me is
confidential. I cannot break your confidence
without your permission. I WILL NOT (REPEAT) WILL NOT
tell your mom you called her a b**ch in session, that your brother
thinks he's gay, or that you think grandma is really crazy and not just
"eccentric".
Question:
Are there
any situations when you can
break confidentiality?
Answer:
Only if you are a threat to yourself
or someone else, or if I believe
you
are being abused.
Example: "I'm so angry at
Susie Jones that she stole my boyfriend. I
went and got a gun and I'm going to shoot her at school tomorrow."
By law, I must warn Susie and notify the police.
Example: "I want to kill
myself. There are train tracks behind my
house and I'm going to walk in front of the next train."
I will call
911 or advise your parents to take you to the nearest emergency room.
Example: "My mom's
boyfriend has been molesting me."
I will call the
police and DCFS and report child abuse.
However, BEFORE I
DISCLOSE ANYTHING TO ANYONE I WILL DISCUSS THIS WITH YOU so you know
what's going on.
Question:
If I tell
you that I smoke pot, or
that I'm sexually active, will you
tell my parents?
Answer:
Generally, no. I cannot break
confidentiality unless there is a safety
issue. For example, if your
drug use is at a point where your life is at serious risk and you
need to be hospitalized, I will need to raise this issue with them so
you
can be safe and get the care you need. If you are engaging in sex
where
you're being exploited or abused, I am obligated to help you be
safe.
That
may mean telling the authorities and/or your parents. However,
BEFORE I
DISCLOSE ANYTHING TO ANYONE I WILL DISCUSS THIS WITH YOU and we will
disclose this information together in session.
Question:
Are you
going to side with my parents
because you and they are adults?
Answer:
I don't like to "side" with anybody.
My goal is to help you and your
parents work through your differences, understand each other better,
and learn healthier ways of acting and interacting. I'm not there
to be
anybody's "rubber stamp". Quite often, both parents and teens
need help
in making positive changes.
Question:
I want to go to therapy, but I can't
tell my parents. My dad is a
screaming, violent drunk. My mom won't do anything to challenge
my dad. They are against sharing things with "outsiders." They say "what
happens at home
stays at home." Can I get counseling without anyone
telling my
parents?
Answer:
Under Illinois law, minor children
between ages 12-17 can get therapy
WITHOUT THEIR PARENTS' CONSENT. They can receive up to
five sessions, lasting up to 45 minutes each. I cannot
bill the
parents for these sessions, but I may charge the teen a reduced rate
based upon their age and earnings (if any). After five
sessions, I
must obtain the parent's consent in order to continue treatment. If the
teen doesn't give me permission to contact their parents for consent,
then I must discontinue treatment. I have seen 2 teens
under these circumstances. At the fifth session, they allowed me
to
contact their parents for consent. One set of parents gave
consent and
treatment continued. Parents can surprise teens by being pleased
their
kids took the initiative to "get themselves straightened out".
Even
some very resistant parents can be persuaded to allow the teen access
to therapy because it's in the teen's best interests.
