Prior to beginning treatment, it is important for you to understand the approach to child therapy and agree to some policies about your child’s confidentiality during the course of his/her treatment.
Therapy is most effective when a trusting relationship exists between the therapist and the client. Privacy is especially important in securing and maintaining that trust. One possible goal of treatment may be to promote a stronger and better relationship between children and their parents; however, it is often necessary for children to develop a “zone of privacy” whereby they feel free to discuss personal matters with greater freedom. This is particularly true for older children, and adolescents who are naturally developing a greater sense of independence and autonomy.
For this reason, it is agency policy to provide you with general information about treatment status, including progress towards therapeutic goals and whether your child is attending sessions. Based on the clinical judgment, issues may raise that could be impacting your child either inside, or outside the home. As a general rule, we will not share detailed information with you about what your child has disclosed to their provider without your child’s consent.
If your child is an adolescent, it is possible that they will reveal sensitive information regarding sexual contact, alcohol and drug use, or other potentially problematic behaviors. Sometimes these behaviors are within the range of adolescent experimentation. At other times, they may require parental intervention, especially when safety becomes a concern. If the provider ever believes that your child’s personal safety is at serious risk (ie. of harming him/herself or another, or of being harmed by someone else), they will inform you.
Finally, it is understood that while the provider has a legal duty as a Mandated Reporter of potential child abuse, they are not conducting an abuse investigation. If you or the provider believes that one needs to be conducted, those services would be obtained from another independent professional or agency.