WHAT TEENS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT CONSENT & CONFIDENTIALITY
DO I NEED MY PARENT'S PERMISSION?
🛡️Your Privacy Matters
Your therapist is here to support you—and that means creating a space where you can speak freely, safely, and in confidence.
🔒 What Your Parent Can Know
- Your therapy is private. We will not share the details of your sessions with your parent or guardian without your permission.
- If you'd like your therapist to speak with a parent, you can talk about it together and create a plan that feels comfortable for you.
- If a parent or guardian books or pays for your sessions, they may see scheduling and payment information—but not what you talk about in therapy.
⚠️ Want total privacy, including scheduling and payments?
Then you’ll need to manage those details yourself and let your therapist know in your first session.
🚨 Limits to Confidentiality
While privacy is a top priority, there are some situations where your therapist must share information to keep you or others safe.
This includes situations where:
- You are at risk of seriously harming yourself or someone else
- Someone is hurting you, or you’re in danger of abuse or neglect
In these cases, your therapist may need to contact your:
- Parent or guardian
- Emergency contact
- Child protection services
- Police or medical professionals
We only share what is absolutely necessary—and always with the goal of keeping you safe and supported.
WILL MY PARENTS KNOW WHAT I TALK ABOUT?
🔐 What Can Be Shared (and When)
- Your parent or guardian will not get updates about your therapy unless you give consent.
- If you’d like your therapist to share something with your parent(s), just let them know. Together, you can make a plan that feels right for you.
- If a parent or guardian books or pays for your sessions, they may see your appointment schedule and attendance—but not what’s discussed in therapy.
🙋 Want full privacy (even around appointments or payments)?
Then you'll need to handle those things yourself and talk to your therapist about it in your first session.
⚠️ Important Exceptions: Safety First
While privacy is a big part of therapy, there are some situations where your therapist is legally required to break confidentiality to keep you or others safe.
This might happen if:
- You’re at risk of seriously hurting yourself or someone else
- You’re being harmed, abused, or neglected, or if someone else is
In these cases, your therapist may need to contact:
- Your parent or guardian
- An emergency contact
- Children’s Aid or another child protection service
- Emergency services, if needed
We’ll only share what’s absolutely necessary—and we’ll do everything we can to involve you in the process wherever possible.