Is it a violation of privacy if my mental health counsler takes something I confided in therepy and used it.?

Question

My step son and son had an altercation, my step is 13 my son is 8. 13 year old is 6ft2 and 280 pounds, my8 yearold is 88 pounds he grabbed him by the neck and pounded him into the chair, they were fighting over head phones. My husband started speaking to mr. 13 about this and mr 13 took a swing at him, my spouse wresteled him to the ground. and told him to let him know when he was done., he let him up and he started upstairs and started with beligerant words to me, like shut the f### up and i stunk etc.. my spouse slapped his face, I confided in my counslor this because it is the first time he has stuck up for me. she goes well I have a reason to call the hot line CPS. and of couse guess who visited me today.. I feel violated. Is this a violation of my privacy? I was the patient, I didn't do anything to threaten or hurt mr. 13. I am afraid of him and his anger. Did this counselor have a right to report this incident? I am left with the feeling that our kids can hurt us whenever. help

Answer 1

They might be obligated to report it. If anyone is in danger at any time I know certain professions have to report it to their local agency. I would ask your counselor in person and express your feelings.

Answer 2

Whenever an incident like this occurs that involves any sort of violence even a slap, a doctor (counselor in this case) has the obligation to report it to CPS or DSS or whatever agency is in your area if they feel that a child is in danger. Perhaps just the admission on your part of your husband slapping your step son made the counselor feel justified to call CPS. She may have also felt that your stepson was a danger to your son and that CPS could be helpful in that situation as well. You always have to be choosy about what you say to your therapist. Not everything is confidential. There are certain things they are entitled and/or obligated to report. I can see how you feel betrayed because most likely you were seeing this counselor because of these problems to begin with. Also be aware that teachers and school counselors are obligated to report any suspicions of abuse. Good luck....

Answer 3

Well, I'm a little confused about the story. Is Mr. 13 the alias you provided for your counselor or what you are calling your step son?? I"m confused. No, your counselor did not betray your privacy, but is probably mandated by state law to report these certain instances to CPS even if he/she has the slightest concern for a child. Yes, you do have rights to privacy, but also your counselor has to follow certain laws mandated by the state. Just as teachers in my state are mandated to report child abuse even if it is just a suspicion, if they fail to report even a suspicion, teachers can be charged with a felony. So your counselor is probably faced with the same situation. I am sorry to hear about your situation at home. I hope that it gets better for you. I would suggest that you look up (google) CPS Laws for your state. Maybe that would help answer some questions for you.

Answer 4

Confused and scared parent- please heed this advice, tough love works, the counselor did what she is obligated by law to do. When a minor is in jeapordy of abuse then she has to call the case in, no matter how small or big it is. Feel grateful people are looking our for your kids too. No it is not okay for mr. 13 to hit and scream like that to you or your spouse. Mr 13 needs some counseling, anger management, or some other outlet such as karate. Kids usually misbehave because they feel they need something, whether that be attention, love, or special one on one time. I hope things get better for you and your family. Have some family nights, talk times, hot seats, and movie nights. It sounds to me like he is being a typical teenager but is going over the lines of typical. Good Luck ! Take Mr 13 to see the counselor who called it in, you might understand why she had to do it, and she may be able to help.

Answer 5

I am sure it can FEEL like a violation of privacy, but I think anytime ANYONE knows about violence in a household they are obligated to tell the authorities. I KNOW that teenagers can be awful... we were all there once. And I can also sympathize with you because there is no easy solution to your problem with Mr.13, but your spouse slapping his face was also not the "right" thing to do. Think about it... would you condone your 8 year old HITTING someone just because they were calling him names? Probably not, but you've justified your husband's attack on Mr.13 by saying he was "sticking up" for you. Maybe CPS can give you the kind of help you need... it sounds like the whole family should be in therapy and not just you taking it all on yourself. Please... good luck to you and I hope things get better.

Answer 6

Depends on your state I think. For the most part, people in the health care and educational fields are required by law to report anything that can be construed as abuse or neglect of a minor or impaired or non-independent adult (ie elder abuse). I believe your mental health couselor counts as being in the health care field, therefore, they are legally obligated to report this incident. Personally I think that b*tch over-reacted and needs a sound beating herself. If your husband had taken to beating your stepson with a truncheon or somesuch, yes, there should be concern, but when he administers reasonable corporal punishment, I don't think there is cause for alarm. Of course I'm assuming that you're not visiting this therapist for domestic violence issues. If that were the case, then her concern is valid.

Answer 7

If she felt this was a danger to your son (Yes I believe she has the right) now do I think this is right (I'm not sure of the situation) So I don't know. I believe that MR.13 needs some serious help,and I believe your son needs to feel safe again. Good luck with this..

Answer 8

Generally, it is considered to be unethical to use information obtained in a private therapy session. However, if the therapist is fearful of physical harm coming to her client, she can ask the authorities to become involved. If the 13 year old is 6'2" and 280 pounds, and is out of control; which seems blatantly obvious to me; he could severely injure you and/or your son. YOU all need to be going for help, you have too many problems within this household and it cannot be all on your shoulders. Best of luck to you all.

Answer 9

that is the problem with social workers (and I have been one). Nowadays, it's pretty much illegal to physically punish or restrain your kids. pretty f---ed up if you ask me. not that I in anyway condone abuse--I won't stand for it; however, SOME CPS, social workers and police like to try to run peoples' lives for them. I would do a little research on the internet, call the counseling agency and ask to speak to a supervisor, and then say you would like to file a complaint regarding a breach of confidentiality. Speaking to a lawyer before this would also be a very good course of action. sorry to say that you can actually lose your children over this, as it has happened before.

Answer 10

actually your kids can't do that u need to place the 13 year old in a center for troubled youth for your safty and your younger son have u tried to get them therapy and i do mean both of them but yes ypur therapist has a obligation to report this stuff your 8 year old is in danger but i doubt anything will come of it but u really need to do something about mr 13

Answer 11

The counselor does not have a choice. The counselor must report incidents of this kind to CPS, period. It is the law in almost every state in the Union.