Going to therapy is courageous — you’re putting yourself first and committing to your emotional and mental well-being. Whether you’re a child or teenager struggling with social anxiety, depression, or any other mental health condition, seeking help through counseling is commendable. However, it’s also natural to feel a little nervous about the process or to wonder if it’s confidential for children and teens.
It’s normal for children and teenagers to want to know what therapists tell their parents after each session — but don’t let your fears keep you from getting help. In almost every instance, you can be confident that your therapist will keep any information you share private, ensuring your thoughts and feelings remain safe even if you have toxic parents. Being vulnerable can be scary, and it’s even more unnerving if you’re worried that your innermost secrets might be relayed to your parents or other people in your life. Rest assured, though, that’s not the norm in therapy. Therapists are bound by confidentiality, but there are exceptions where they might report certain details.
Keep reading to learn when, why, and how a therapist might — on a very rare occasion — share personal details about you and your sessions
Can a Therapist Ever Tell Your Parents What You Talk About?
Most of the time, no, your therapist won’t tell your parents what you talk about in sessions unless they have your consent. Confidentiality is a fundamental aspect of the patient-therapist relationship. It fosters trust and helps you feel at ease that you’re in a safe space to open up, share your feelings, and begin the process of healing.
That said, there are some exceptions. For example, if you tell your therapist that you’re feeling suicidal or have a plan to hurt yourself, they may be required to inform your parents or a trusted adult to ensure your safety. Similarly, if you disclose abuse or another situation where you’re in danger, they may have a legal obligation to report it.
If you’re under 18, confidentiality rules can be slightly different than for adults in therapy. Therapists may be required by law to share certain information with parents, guardians, law enforcement, or the courts in specific situations.
Confidentiality in Therapy
Your therapist is bound by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), a federal law that protects your privacy. In many ways, it sets the foundation for feeling comfortable and secure when sharing thoughts and raw emotions in therapy. Not only is HIPAA in place to protect you, but mental health professionals are also bound by a strict Code of Ethics that obligates them to keep the information they learn from clients in sessions private.
“Feeling safe in therapy is crucial to being able to develop a relationship with your therapist and confidentiality is a key component in this process. Licensed mental health professionals hold confidentiality as a core value in working with any client. Therapy is a place where you are able to safely discuss concerns in your life, challenges you face, joys you experience and learn strategies to cope with life’s stressors – at school, with friends, or with family.”
– Talkspace therapist Jill Daino, LCSW-R, BC-TMH
When Therapists Might Have to Break Confidentiality
For the most part, therapists can’t share details about you or your sessions. However, there are some very specific exceptions to this general rule for both child, teenage, and adult clients. Knowing the circumstances under which therapists are allowed to breach confidentiality can help ease anxiety or fear during your sessions.
Risk of harm
Therapists are highly skilled and trained in teen suicide warning signs, knowing when a threat might be serious. If you express an urge or plan to harm yourself or someone else, and your therapist believes you’ll follow through, they may be required to alert your parents, the authorities, or — if it’s not a case of self-harm — the person you plan to harm.
Abuse or neglect
Therapists are required by law to inform the proper state agencies (child protective services) about any abuse or neglect they’re aware of when treating minors. Abuse isn’t always physical. It can be verbal, emotional, sexual, or financial. Another form of abuse is neglect, which is the failure to provide basic needs and comfort. If a therapist knows or suspects you’re being abused or neglected, they have an ethical and legal responsibility to act.
Legal requirements
While rare, there are times when a therapist can be subpoenaed to testify in a court of law. This is the least common reason they might share information from patient sessions. More often than not, a therapist will claim what’s known as “privileged communication” when being questioned.
If a therapist knows about a crime, whether or not they’ll report the information can depend on when it was committed. Was it something that happened in the past, is it still going on, or will it happen in the future? These are all considerations they’ll take into account when making a decision.
Parental consent
As a minor, if you’re engaging in behavior that’s risky or potentially harmful to yourself or others, your therapist might be required to tell a parent or guardian, especially if they’re the ones paying for your sessions.
Note that laws vary from state to state, so it’s a good idea to have an open conversation with everyone involved — your therapist, you, and your parents — early in the process. The therapist will explain when confidentiality might be broken so everyone understands the rules and knows what to expect.
How Can Teenagers Protect Their Privacy?
If you’re seeking therapy or considering the different types of therapy for teens, there are steps you can take to ensure you feel safe and that your privacy is protected during sessions. For example, you can:
- Discuss any privacy concerns you have with your therapist before you start having sessions
- Ask what the therapist can tell your parents
- Learn about the limits of confidentiality
“Therapy is a great opportunity to learn new skills and practice speaking up for oneself. Since therapy looks a little different for each person, speaking up to your therapist about what is and is not working for you is crucial. Your therapist will appreciate this feedback as therapy is a collaborative process. Practicing advocating for yourself in therapy also helps as you can then use those same skills with others in your life, like speaking up to a teacher if you need extra help in a class.”
– Talkspace therapist Jill Daino, LCSW-R, BC-TMH
Start Secure, Confidential Therapy for Teens with Talkspace
Getting help from qualified, skilled mental health professionals is fast and accessible. Talkspace is convenient, offering therapy when and where it works with busy children and teens’ schedules. Talkspace makes online teen therapy easy, eliminating scheduling headaches or the need to commute to appointments. Plus, therapists on Talkspace follow the same strict privacy rules and ethical guidelines as in-person therapists, ensuring that every session is secure and confidential. With licensed professionals specializing in teen mental health, you can trust that anyone you work with will understand and empathize with your struggles.
The convenience of being able to message a therapist whenever you need or schedule regular video sessions (or do both) means therapy can be stress-free and comfortable. Talkspace also makes switching therapists a seamless process. If the first therapist you work with isn’t a good fit, you can request another one without missing a beat on your self-care journey.
Reach out today to learn more about online therapy for teens.
Sources:
- Recognition of psychotherapy effectiveness. https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/about/policy/resolution-psychotherapy. Accessed February 2, 2025.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA). Public Health Law. Published September 10, 2024. https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/php/resources/health-insurance-portability-and-accountability-act-of-1996-hipaa.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/phlp/publications/topic/hipaa.html. Accessed February 2, 2025.
- Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. https://www.apa.org. https://www.apa.org/ethics/code. Accessed February 2, 2025.
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