How could I go about getting a counselor or therapist without my parents knowing?

Question

I'm 18 and in high school and I live with them. It's not that I don't trust them I just really can't have them involved, it will make it worse. I can't talk to school counselors and nurse because they'll just relay everything I say back to my parents.

Answer 1

At 18 you are entitled to privacy; however, you may not get it. Most high schools allow parents access to most if not all their children's records. If you are on your parent's insurance policy and try to use it, they will have access to some of your information and your family doctor may unintentionally share information with your parents. Contact your local health department office (If your phone book has blue pages, that's where to look), explain what you need, and ask for assistance. They will be able to guide you in the right direction. Don't give up until you find a confidential counselor who will be governed by what is in your best interest. Good Luck.

Answer 2

Don't use the phone book—anyone can put their name in there. Try to get a personal referral from your doctor or your friends who you might know who are seeing therapists—you wouldn't have to see the same person but get referrals from them. Local clinics. If a University is near or a hospital try to get a referral from there. A lot regarding resources depends on where you are living and how big a community.
Too bad about your parents not being a help. Good luck!

Answer 3

First of all, it seems to me especially if you are 18, that the school counselor and nurse would be bound by confidentiality laws and would legally not be allowed to tell your parents anything you were to tell them, with the exception of suicidal or homicidal thoughts/behaviors.
You can contact your county mental health clinic/ department and see if you can work something out. I wouldn't give my name though when asking for information in case it turns out you can only get help if you don't live at home, in which case you might have to omit that bit of information at intake. ( I don't condone dishonesty but sometimes when dealing with "the system" you need to do what you need to do to get help.) When I was 17 I brought myself to the clinic for treatment, but I was living on my own already for a year. They work on a sliding scale and I only had to pay $1 for each session.

Answer 4

nicely occurring your college counselor looks like a solid place to initiate. however the what form of counseling do you prefer? or what do you prefer help with? there are a number of categories of counseling and therapy. each so often you do no longer could see a counselor in any respect yet could get linked with a mentor that has gotten in the process an identical struggles as you.

Answer 5

You could do online therapy www.mytherapy.com.
You could see your family doctor or go for your counselor., I agree with you on that! :)
Uhm perhaps you should talk to them about how you would like to see a doctor but do not want them involved and why they want to be involved. They are probably concerned and parents have that right but yet I can see what you mean. Anyway Good luck and let God be with you!

Answer 6

Go to your local Mental Health Office and get an evaluation done. The evaluation is free and then they can get you grants if you have problems. There is no need for your parents to find out. Doctors are supposed to keep anything you tell them confidential.

Answer 7

You're 18. Go to your local guidance center or even to your regular Dr. Then ask them to refer you to someone to talk to. Sometimes even the phone book will have numbers you can call for a resource. Good Luck.