is my therripist allowed to tell my paerents im still having sex w/ my bf? theripists say "i am not allowed to tell anyone what you tell me unless you are hurting yourself or someone else" so why is mine (erin) telling my parents im having sex w/ my bf? i already told them were active but erin tells them when we have sex! soo wtf?
2006-07-09 15:01:44 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
i had a different thereapist and i told him what me and my ex were doing (at the toime) and he was tellin me 2 have sex cuz everyone else was doing it, cuz me and the boy wrerent haveing sex, but i thought it was just thats t theripist but i guess not, now erin is teling my perensts im having sex and i dotn understand
2006-07-09 15:22:01 · update #1
and yes im almost 17 and i live in VA so if neone knows the rules or w/e in VA please state
2006-07-09 15:23:03 · update #2
The age of consent is 18 in Virginia, which means you having sex is technically illegal, as you are not old enough to give consent. Your therapist was caught between a rock and a hard place---he/she was probably trying to protect you and your boyfriend from legal trouble and him/herself from legal trouble as well, while trying to maintain confidentiality. Ethics guidelines are often very hard to interpret, and it's very hard for a therapist to know what to do in each case. However, your therapist should discuss telling your parents with you, and let you be involved in telling your parents. If you decide to keep seeing this therapist, bring this up in a non-angry way. Tell them that you're old enough to be involved in discussions about talking to your parents, and don't want to be surprised when he tells them things behind your back. Don't be afraid to have a discussion about what you do and don't like in therapy, and how you might best work together in the future.
Also, if your boyfriend is over 18, he could be committing statutory rape. If that's the case, your therapist definitely had an obligation to tell your parents to protect you (and your bf from the police!)
2006-07-13 11:06:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless you having sex is in some way hurting you or someone else your therapist is ethically obligated NOT to tell your parents. Your therapist can encourage you to tell, but that is not a line the therapist has the right to cross.
If your therapist did tell than that is a brearch or your confidentiality and you can get him in trouble if you so desire. Contact your state mental health review board and talk to someone there and see the steps needed.
I am sorry he broke your confidence in telling your parents.
2006-07-09 15:39:07 · answer #2 · answered by slaps_god 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your therapist should not be repeating what you say unless you are endangered. Even then, your therapist should only tell your parents you are endangered. No details are necessary, only treatment is. If I had a therapist that repeated what I told them, I would no longer trust them.
Ask your parents if you can get a different therapist because of trust issues. I hope they listen to you. Good Luck !
2006-07-09 15:08:48 · answer #3 · answered by SpongebobRoundpants 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're under 18 the therapist my HAVE to tell them these things. Are you being punished as a result? I would think the therapist may be telling them to try and help your parents deal with it.
2006-07-09 15:07:29 · answer #4 · answered by julesl68 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Technically you are possibly hurting yourself because of std's and pregnancy issues. And your hurting more then yourself by getting pregnant to young because you won't be able to offer a baby all the time and energy and money that they would deserve.
My children cost a heck of a lot when you consider birthday parties dance and piano lessons and soccer. etc.
2006-07-09 15:10:48 · answer #5 · answered by farmgirl 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its only legal to divulge minutes of conversations to the police if the therapist is convinced what you tell them might be dangerous to a 3rd party...as none of this is relevant to the wellbeing of anyone or you parent the police, the Therapist has indeed crossed the line, my advice get a new one.
2006-07-09 15:07:46 · answer #6 · answered by Ajescent 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can contact your state medical professional board regarding this. That is patient confidentiality. You need to find a new therapist.
2006-07-09 15:05:20 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my therapist used to tell me the same thing...but she never told them if i was sexually active or not. that isn't right and you should tell her outright,
listen, if you want to help me, don't tell my parents what they already know and make them more stressed.
instead, have a meeting with you, your parents and your therapist so you can calmly discuss your problems.
communication is the best therapy there is. trust me.
2006-07-09 15:08:47 · answer #8 · answered by oreo_cream_76 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. You have privacy rights too. I would remind your therapist of this and her code of ethics. If it continues seek out a new therapist.
2006-07-09 15:09:00 · answer #9 · answered by danielle t 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if you are 12 yes, she can tell them. If you are over 14 it is different in each state. Call the local ethics board (get the number from your local hospital) and ask them.
2006-07-09 15:05:25 · answer #10 · answered by Jamie, FNP 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋