When your on probation... do you HAVE to goto counciling?

Question

Because today my probation officer came to my school and was talking to me and shes like "Are you in counciling?" and im like "uh no!?" and shes like "well the only way you'll get off probation is if you start going to counciling and if the judge sees your not doing what your supposed to, he'll put you behind bars" and im like oh sh!t!! I dont wanna go to counciling it wastes my Saturdays and my last counciler i was sent to shared my info.. so yea do you have to goto counciling when your on probation?

rofl.. ok well i aint down for counciling

Answer 1

Hello, Meleen.....I am sorry to read that as a teen you are on probation. Though you are asking about the need for counseling, you have not mentioned anything about why you are
on probation in the first place---which might explain why your
probation officer knows you need the help that counseling would provide for you.
You are seeing this requirement as something that interferes with your life----however, your probation officer sees the counseling as something to help you to work on bettering your life, and preventing an on going life where you are
involved with jail, the court system, and more time with a probation officer.
The entire issue is really.....what is your wish, Meleen? To
continue in the life you've been part of, which caused you
to do something that now requires you to work with a probation officer?
Or are you a smart enough young lady to realize that this world offers a lot of wonderful options in life---and with the right counseling, the right goals and a dream of your own,
you can have a life worth living, a life where you are adding
something worthwhile to our world?
This is what the judge and probation officer are trying to help you with.....and what you are not wanting for yourself for some reason.
Not all counselors share your information, Meleen. Some counselors care for the clients they see and they work with you to try to enhance your life and help you to see the person you were born to be....and help you get on that path.
You have gifts you were born with, Meleen. Things that are uniquely you......that you will be able, some day, to share with this world if you so choose.
But the onus is on you.
It is your choice.
I once learned that in many of these situations, intelligence is
one big reason why some young men and women decide to
grow beyond what they were born and raised into---to reach out and better themselves and their lives.
You seem a very bright young lady, Meleen. I am hoping
that you will re-consider your thinking and options regarding
counseling.
I am hoping you will take the chance that you may have a counselor to help you to set and attain goals so that your life as an adult will be one you will really love living.
But it is all up to you. Each one of us has free will. We do
choose, in the end, what our life is going to be all about---
and I am praying you will be a wise young woman and choose something good for you. You are worth it.

All the best,
Doris

Answer 2

If counseling was one of the terms of your probation, then YES. If you don't go, then you could go to jail. If not, it's a show of good will on your part and shows that you want to better yourself. That could get you off of your probation faster.

Brandon

Answer 3

only if it's listed in your papers. usually it is when you're a minor. ask your p.o. to show you where it says you have to attend counseling and howmany sessions are required.
oh, and stay out of trouble from now on.