Counselor question

[Peppermint Tea.♥]

When you talk to a counselor, what things do they tell your parents/decide you need to be hospitalised/decide you're unsafe for? What things would make them decide that just talking things through with you wasn't enough?

[Palmolive]

Hey.

If you're in a child and adolescent mental health service then your parents will be told things when you are 'unsafe'. Its best to ask your counselor about confidentiality but I know information has been past on to my counselor when started self harming and when I was having suicidal thoughts or had taken pills. But it could vary. But if you are in an adult service (which you can be at sixteen) then no information should be passed on.

They might decide hospital might be a good idea for you when things are not improving, you have become 'unsafe' or when you have tried different therapies and medications and its had no impact.

Jessie

[Peppermint Tea.♥]

I'm going to see a counselor but it's through the school so I guess it's still child services. I self harm and am suicidal, although I haven't attempted anything in a while. I'm terrified about my mum finding out.

[L'espoir]

Hi,

Each counsellor is different so the best thing to do is to ask your own counsellor for their confidentiality policy. From personal experience though they tend to disclose information to other people if they think you are a serious risk to yourself. This could be from severe self harm, suicide plans or being very underweight from an eating disorder. They also tend to tell someone if you are being abused, especially if it is someone in a position of power such as a teacher. These are just general rules though and as I said, your counsellor may have slightly different guidelines that she works by. I hope this helps a little