Is what I tell my guidance counselor confidential?

Question

Or will she go blabbing to my parents? I don't know who else to go to anymore. And I don't want my parents involved at all. I have friends who are trying to help, but I need an adult. Just not my parents.

Thanks.

I am the oldest. I don't go to church. I'm not close with any older relatives. Believe me... I'm only considering the counselor because I don't have any other adult. And I'm tired of bothering friends.

No, for goodness sake I am not pregnant. Just at the very end of my rope... the very end.

I would never ever dream of hurting someone else.

I just need help. I'm afraid. I might email one of you. Someone to talk to sounds very nice.

Oh, I'm a 17yr old Senior.

I'm not calling some hotline. My parents could find out for one thing. And I don't feel like saying what I mean by the end of my rope. So it looks as if I can't talk to my counselor. So I am alone... oh well. Thanks for the information. Much appreciated.

I don't want my parents to know because I don't want them to worry. I don't want to bother them. I'm actually quite close with my parents. They just don't know how depressed I am because I don't want them to know. Them knowing would only make me worse.

I would love to talk to some adult who would be willing to listen. I really need it. Like Kayla S... But I get a failure notice when I send an email. :(

Answer 1

It depends on your age and what you tell.
1) If you're under 16, then they may have to report to your parents.
2) If what you reveal can cause imminent harm to you or others, they must report (suicidal ideation, etc).
3) If you are in harms way from your parents (abuse) they have to report to Social Services.

These are Canadian rules but if you are American, I don't think it will be too different. They don't report to make life rough for you, but have to as a matter of your safety. We also have a legal obligation to do so. If you would like to post a general idea of the issue under additional details though, I can give you a more specific answer.


What do you mean by the end of your rope??

Do you have something like the Kids Help Phone there??? No call display and trained counselors?
1-800-668-6868
http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/en/

A counselor can also help mediate between you and your parents. I've done it many times with very good results. Basically we sit down together at the school (it helps to have neutral ground) and talk about the issues. That way you have an advocate and support right there to diffuse mom and dad right away and problem solve. I find my students to be a bit resistant at first but many are glad in the end they did it. Just a suggestion to try!

Answer 2

I am in college for human services. We talked about guidance counselors in our ethics class. If it is a serious issue, then no, it may not be kept confidential.... Because he/she is an employee, she may HAVE to tell the principle/superintendent and/or local authorites based on the severity of what you tell her.

If you write to me and tell me what state you are living in, then maybe I can ask my professors what it is you are going through, or even my supervisor (I am doing my internship this semester at a mental health clinic)..... Then, I dont know, for example, if you are pregnant, lets say, they would probably be able to tell me if you went to a community pregnancy center, whether or not those people would have to tell your parents eventually or what......

Also, if some one is a threat to his or herself or others, the counselor, whether in the school or NOT, would have to report that.

Also, in general for counselors NOT in a school, then they also have to report suspected OR know child abuse, neglect incest, you name it, and this also goes for those who are mentally or physically handicapped and the elderly.

With out more info, then this is all I know to tell you as of right now. but my address is [e-mail]

take care.
sammie

UPDATE: YES, american laws are different than canadian laws... It was never said in our class about the age 16 thing and we were very thourough about it in class.... In america, if you are a minor, then they may HAVE to tell. If you go to her and ask, would you have to tell my parents something I told you? or the principle, authorites, whatever, then just know that not ALL counselors are good, she could lie to you (unethical.. a violation of your rights, but still some do it to get the info) and say no.... or she may be honest and say "well, it depends....."

Answer 3

I'm not sure what the laws are in the US, but because you're under 18, I think legally a guidance counselor can talk to your parents if he or she feels they should.
You can talk to me, if you want :). I'm 18, and I've been through depression, which I didn't want to talk to my parents about.

Answer 4

If it does not involve anything worth telling someone about (abuse, drugs/alcohol, rape.. etc), the guidance counselor usually will not mention it to anyone else. It is necessary that the guidance counselor shares what she knows when she learns about something extreme that is going on, however.

Answer 5

Ask the counselor of it will be confidential first buut I think if it's anything like abuse etc they would be bound to tell. If you want to email me at [e-mail] you are welcome to. I am 27 and am currently on bedrest during pregnancy so I have the time to help. My brother is 14 and confides in me often. Good luck.

Answer 6

Yes, anything you tell to a guidance counselor is confidential. But make sure you tell them not to tell anyone. They'll most probably not tell anyone.

Answer 7

Maybe and aunt or an uncle? Or older brother or sister? Or grandparent?

Answer 8

Unless you tell her that you are planning on hurting yourself she can't tell anyone what you told her. If you think it will make you feel better, perhaps you should ask her about it.

Good luck

Answer 9

There is no law that prevents them from talking. There is also no law forcing them to talk. Find someone else to ask your secrets to whom you can trust.

Answer 10

Please go to your counselor. If you need help, your friends are not the ones to go to. Your pastor is a good choice as well.