Therapist Talking To Parent

[ellienad]

I know when you're under the age of 18 a therapist can/will talk to your parent. However, if you're over the age of 18 can a therapist legally talk to your parents?

I know if I'm putting myself or others in danger then they have to report it and that's not what I'm referring to. I've recently started revealing more about my parents and my family dysfunction and I'm afraid that my T is going to pick up the phone and yell at them or something! ;)

Irrational thought, I know, but I'm just curious if it's even legal for a therapist to speak to the parents of someone who is over 18?

 

[Ti Vu]

I had the same thoughts when I first started seeing my psychologist. If you are 18+, then you are an adult and "your own person", so your T cannot and will not say anything to your parents without your consent.

I hope I could help and Happy Healing:)

 

[Candleflames]

No, you doc can't call up you parents for a chat about what is going on in therapy. The only time your doc can talk to anyone about you and identify you is when you: 1. Give them permission to via legal paperwork or 2. You are a danger to yourself or others.

Even for minors there are strict rules as to who your doc can talk to about a patient and why.

I hope that helps you feel a little more secure in talking.

 

[Leah123]

I don't think it is an irrational concern. It's hard to trust you are free from your parents at only 18 and after dealing with their dysfunctions.

It's a violation of the professional code of conduct for the industry for a therapist to break patient confidentiality, unless, as you say, there is imminent threat of suicide, serious self-harm, or a minor is in clear danger of or currently being abused.

So, your therapist will not be speaking with your parents or anyone else you know, unless you tell them you have a minor brother or sister in the house being abused for example. In that case, they would be mandated to report. In other cases, absolutely not.

 

[Suzetig]

It depends on where you are and confidentiality policy your therapist works to - for example, there is no mandatory reporting requirement in the UK so even under the age of 18 your therapist should maintain your confidentiality. It's worth asking just to reassure yourself about the circumstances in which she would feel the need to breach your confidentiality and to whom.

 

[Alfred.Greene]

Not even if your i think its about 14 here? The T can't do anything without the proper papers filled out. You can get therapy without your parents finding out, and they can't stop you.

 

[Me Myself and I]

Your therapist CAN'T and WILL not UNLESS you allow him/her or ask him/her to!!!!

So no worries!! Your secrets are safe!! ;)

 

[StellaBlue]

I agree with what everyone else has said but want to add that it might be reassuring to discuss this with your therapist as well. I think it might help alleviate your fears and also build trust in him/her.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Laws vary from country to country, and if you are still a ward of your parents as an adult, then things get hazy, but in the USA, if you are 18, then privacy laws prohibit the release of ANY medical information to anybody without your written consent. (If you were older, you'd remember a time when you didn't have to sign 756 HIPPA....that is USA privacy law....forms every time you went to a health practitioner)