Teen's therapist having policy to not tell parents if teen talks about drug use or alcohol use?
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Anonymous
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Is this common? DD16 has a decent psychologist, but this policy bothers me and I'm wondering if it's common.
The therapist said it is to have trust in the client/psychologist relationship, not a reporting to parents dynamic. I'm concerned if it creates an I told an adult/it's absolved/there's no consequences/may as well keep doing it attitude. So two questions - is this common, and even if not would you agree to it. Teen has had significant mental emotional issues and I'm firm on no substance use as its bad enough without adding that to the mix. |
Anonymous
| A good therapeutic relationship is impossible without complete trust. If the therapist might reveal confidences to a parent (or anyone else), there isn't going to be sufficient trust for therapy to be effective. |
Anonymous
| Where do you live? Where I live medical professionals, including mental health ones, do not have to disclose anything to the parents after the child is 14. The child can make their own medical decisions at that age too. |
Anonymous
| I thought therapists only break confidentiality if a patient says they're going to kill themselves or someone else. |
Anonymous
| I think they only have to report suicide threats or homicide threats. |
Anonymous
| The above posters are correct. The only time a therapist may break confidentiality is if the teen is suicidal or a danger to others. |
Anonymous
| You think the kids therapist should tell you? You want your kid to have to lie to everyone??? How short sighted can you be! |
Anonymous
If its a safety issue, they can disclose to parents. |
Anonymous
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Could you imagine how quickly it would derail your teen's therapy if the kid knew the therapist was reporting back to the parent?
Therapists are mandatory reporters. They are required to act if there is abuse, neglect, or the patient is a severe danger to themselves or others. Everything else stays in the room. |
Anonymous
| Ask your therapist, but I think the concern is unfounded. Ours told me that if DC revealed substance use (including pot), she would educate/warn of the dangers of use while also exploring the reasons DC used. Hardly an attitude of “sure whatever all good” or whatever you fear. |
Anonymous
| Well, sounds like the therapist is following the law and their professional ethics. You won't find a therapist who WILL share this info with you, I should hope. |
Anonymous
| Sounds like we have hit on why your kid might need therapy. The call is coming from inside the house. |
Anonymous
| If the therapist did disclose alcohol/drug use, how would you proceed? And how would that impact your child's theraputic needs/goals? |
Anonymous
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If your child is not willing to confide in you, then your child does not trust you.
If you want your child's therapist to break their confidence and report to you, then she won't trust the either. You attempts to cut her off from any trust relationship with any adult is very destructive for your child. OP, you need to let up. You are setting your child up to fail by trying to exert this much control over her. You are the reason your child needs a therapist and if you don't change the way you treat her, you may find that when she reaches 18, she will cut of ties from you because she can't trust you and you try to control and manipulate her. |
Anonymous
| I would drug test your kid. |