Can I tell my therapist too much?

Question

Are there thing that I shouldn't tell my therapist? I have some thoughts that if acted on, could land me in jail. Bad idea to share such thoughts, right?

Thanks for the answers so far. So, it's sounding like I should tell my therapist "everything." Do you think, once I get these thoughts out of my head, I will feel better? From personal experience, can anyone answer that?

Answer 1

Therapists have to report threats of imminent harm to others in most states (Tarasoff's Law) but thoughts without intent are not reportable. It may also help you to contract with the therapist to refrain from acting on these thoughts and to call prior to any impulse to act. This will allow you to discuss the thoughts and make a plan together with your therapist. Most therapists will and should report a direct threat (versus a vague one like "someday i might kill so and so") or ideation with intent to act on it. Otherwise it is not reportable.
Therapists are mandated to report disclosures of child abuse or threats to harm or injure a child when the child is known. They cannot report threats or abuse perpetrated on an unknown victim to the police or CPS, but they might recommend hospitalization if there is a threat made directly towards an unknown individual. These are instances which generally nullify confidentiality.

Answer 2

Trust me, as a therapist he/she has heard everything at least once. If you are in the US, they are the best people to tell initially, because they are bound to not tell anyone by law. I tell my therapist everything. Trust me, you'll feel SO much better once you do. And he/she can help you through all your feelings, and help you work through how you want to proceed. The only way therapy works is if you're completely open and honest. Trust me, just walk in there and say something to the effect of "I'd like to talk about something." And then go into detail. He/she's heard it before, I can guarentee you. And I'm sure they'll react with compassion, and will be able to help you move forward from here. Good luck!

Answer 3

Not at all, actually. When I had a panic attack a week ago after seeing somebody who I've been trying to avoid for two years, I had this reoccuring daydream that I'd walk back into the room and shoot him to death. I was so worried that this meant something, and I told my therapist this, and he said it's perfectly normal for people to have those kind of thoughts when in a situation such as that one. So in this case, telling my therapist actually helped. XD
I don't know what your thoughts might be, but I doubt your therapist will do anything unless you actually are considering acting upon those thoughts.

Answer 4

Seven:

I hope I can answer your question, and at the same time set the record straight as the answers given so far are a bit off the mark.

I am a licensed therapist, so I will offer for everyone what our limits on confidentiality are. These are set both by federal, as well as state mandates. They apply no matter what license a therapist holds (mft, lcsw, lpc, psychologist, etc.) Also, I am not employed by or otherwise affiliated with Yahoo, I am only a member like everyone else. I am offering my professional designation only to lend credibility.

If we become aware of any abuse of a child or an elder we are required to make a report to the appropriate reporting authority in our state. Usually a Child Protective Services and Elder services agency.

If we become aware of a plan to harm another person, AND, we deem that threat to be credible, a doctrine called Tarasoff, requires that we warn the person as well as notify law enforcement of the threat. We are to make an earnest attempt to warn the individual(s) under threat.

If a person is a danger to themselves via a credible suicide threat or severe lack of ability to care for self, most states give us the authority to request a law enforcement person to take the individual into custody and to a psychiatric facility for a 72 hour hold & evaluation.

Under the federal HIPAA rules, we can inform yor insurance company of your attendance in a therapy session (if you are using your insurance to pay for your visit), the length of the session, and a diagnosis. If you see a therapist via an employee assistance program (EAP), you will be asked to sign a release of information related to a brief decription and assessment of your problem to include a treatment plan to provide help.

Our notes are potentially subpeonable, however we can claim "priviledge" for both verbal and written testimony and only when ordered to relase them by a judge are we required to do so. We can refuse even then, but will probably be held in contempt and sit in jail until we release the records.

Interestingly, there are no laws that mandate that we keep any notes. Therefore if it isn't written down, there is no record and what we hold in our minds is what we hold in our minds.....

I know this is a lot of information, but I hope this makes the few instances that we must "report" something clear.

In other words, 99% of anthing you tell your therapist, if they are ethical, is strictly confidential and to be shared with no one without your permission. The therapy session has to be a safe place for someone to talk about their thoughts and feelings. How else can we begn to know how to direct your "treatment"?

Having a thought to do something is just that, having a thought. Usually, if it is a threatening or harmful thought, your therapist will explore with you if you really "intend" to hurt someone, or are just expressing an issue with the individual(s). Also, if a therapist is going to make any form of report, they will inform you before doing so.

So, if you tell me you have hurt a child or an elder person, I will report it. Tell me you are thinking about it, and we will explore if you are really going to do it or are just thinking about it. If it appears you really are planning to do harm, and we can't come to some other solution, the people and law enforcement will be informed.

Tell me you have already robbed a bank, killed your boss, stole a car, smoked pot, sold drugs, etc. There isn't anything I can or will do about it other than work with you to either turn yourself in or change your ways. If I am subpeoned to testify against you, I will claim "priviledge" and only after being ordered by a judge to testify will I do so. And then, as I keep very sketchy notes, only what will be testified to is what I can "remember".

If I feel you are truly a suicidal threat, and I can't come to some sort of safety plan for you to stay alive while you get your problems worked out, I will have you placed in a 72 hour hold. In 15 years of therapy I have only done this three times.

There is very little reason to keep anything from your therapist. They are your ally and are there to help you work through negative thoughts, emotions and behaviors. If they are worth their salt, they are on your side and need to be the safest confidant you have. If it doesn't feel so, talk with your therapist about the lack of trust, AND if you can't resolve it, fire them and find someone with who you do feel safe.

Again, I know this answer was lengthy, and I wanted to set the record very straight on confidentiality. It is the very basis for why therapy can work.

The best of luck my friend.

Answer 5

If you want therapy to work, total honest with your therapist is a must. Those thoughts that could get you in trouble are good things to tell the therapist so you don't act on them and end up in jail.

Trust and honesty is the key to successful therapy. If you can't trust your therapist, find one you can.

Answer 6

you should tell your therapist and there is nothing that they can do. that is because of confidentiality. just like a priest or a doctor couldn't share these then neither can a therapist. however if they feel that you might be a danger to yourself or others then they can tell someone and have you put in the hospital and taken care of there. you might need to tell someone about what you did and that will help with any guilt that you feel because of it. confession is good for the soul. hope this helps

Answer 7

You can tell your therapist anything. The only way they can break confidentiality is if you tell him or her that you are planning or harming yourself or others. If you tell them that you will do something to someone then they have to report you. They can't report your thoughts or desires to do something to yourself or others.

Answer 8

Therapist are required by law to report if you are going to physically harm anyone.

Answer 9

Well, therapists are suppose to keep what you say confidential. Besides you are paying the therapist, use it to the fullest

Answer 10

you should share them in a way that wont put you in jail