Teens Need to Know: Therapy, Consent & Confidentiality
Do I Need My Parent’s Permission for Therapy?
Do I Need My Parent’s Permission for Therapy?
Do I Need My Parent’s Permission for Therapy?
Not always.
In Ontario, you can consent to your own therapy if your therapist determines that you are capable of understanding what therapy involves and making a decision about your care. There is no fixed age when someone automatically becomes capable of making their own treatment decisions. If you are not able to make your own treatment
Not always.
In Ontario, you can consent to your own therapy if your therapist determines that you are capable of understanding what therapy involves and making a decision about your care. There is no fixed age when someone automatically becomes capable of making their own treatment decisions. If you are not able to make your own treatment decision, a parent or another person who is legally allowed to make health-care decisions for you may need to provide consent.
What Does This Mean for You?
Your therapist can talk with you about:
- Whether you can consent to your own therapy
- What therapy involves
- What information stays private
- What information your parent or guardian may be able to see
- When information may need to be shared for safety reasons
You can always ask your therapist questions about your privacy and your rights. Your therapist will explain things in a way you can understand and help you know what to expect before therapy begins.
Will My Parents Know What I Talk About?
Do I Need My Parent’s Permission for Therapy?
Do I Need My Parent’s Permission for Therapy?
Usually, no.
What you talk about with your therapist is private. Your parent or guardian does not automatically receive updates about your therapy or the details of your conversations. If you want your therapist to share something with your parent or guardian, you can talk about it together and decide what you are comfortable sharing.
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Usually, no.
What you talk about with your therapist is private. Your parent or guardian does not automatically receive updates about your therapy or the details of your conversations. If you want your therapist to share something with your parent or guardian, you can talk about it together and decide what you are comfortable sharing.
📅 What About Appointments and Payments?
Privacy around your therapy conversations is different from privacy around booking and payment.
If your parent or guardian books your appointments, they may know:
- When your appointments are scheduled
- Whether an appointment was attended, cancelled, or missed
- Other basic scheduling information
If your parent or guardian pays for your therapy, they may also receive or have access to payment or billing information related to your sessions. This does not mean they can see what you talk about in therapy. If you want more privacy around booking, attendance, or payment, talk with your therapist before your first appointment. They can explain what options may be available to you.
Important Exceptions: Safety Comes First
Do I Need My Parent’s Permission for Therapy?
Important Exceptions: Safety Comes First
Most of what you talk about with your therapist is private. There are a few situations where your therapist may need to involve someone else to help make sure you or another person is safe.
This may happen if:
- You may seriously hurt yourself
- You may seriously hurt someone else
- You are being harmed, abused, or neglected
- Someone else may be at s
Most of what you talk about with your therapist is private. There are a few situations where your therapist may need to involve someone else to help make sure you or another person is safe.
This may happen if:
- You may seriously hurt yourself
- You may seriously hurt someone else
- You are being harmed, abused, or neglected
- Someone else may be at serious risk of harm
If this happens, your therapist may need to connect with a parent or guardian, child protection service, emergency service, or another professional who can help. Your therapist will share only the information that is needed. They will not share everything you have talked about in therapy.
Whenever possible, your therapist will talk with you first. They will explain what is happening, why they need to involve someone else, and what information they may need to share. You can ask questions, talk about your concerns, and be involved in what happens next. Your therapist will do their best to make the process feel clear, respectful, and supportive. If you are ever unsure about what stays private, you can ask. It is completely okay to ask questions about confidentiality before you share something with your therapist.