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Originally Posted by Focus62
I have a question: do therapists have to report threats made on you by another person?
Without getting into too much detail - The threat isn't something that would appear as a threat to anyone unless they actually understood the situation... I received a letter in the mail from a person I have been no contact with for the last 2.5 years. They are not supposed to know where I live and I have no idea how they found out. All the "letter" is is a printed airline itinerary that says "See you soon." So it's not a threat on my life or anything, but this person has terrorized me for many many years and contact with this person is never not dangerous... To me the "letter" is a passive-aggressive threat.
Would my therapist have to report this to the police if I talked about it with her? I really want to but if anyone is going to get the police involved, it's going to be me, not her. I am not a minor and I have absolutely zero intention on meeting this person face to face (if/when they show up to my place, the cops will be called if they refuse to leave my door step). I live in NC, USA if that matters.
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here in the USA the rules for this is different for children vs adults. for adults no therapists do not have to report if someone has made a threat on the client.. that said if the client is the one making the threats yes.
short version once a person turns 18 they are considered to be responsible adults capable of making their own mental and physical health decisions even when it comes to someone making a threat of harm against them. even in domestic violence situations nothing can be done unless the victim decides to make a report.
that said in situaitons where the cops get called ie a neighbor or the therapist witnesses the threat of harm they can as a witness make a report stating they witnessed a crime. anyone can witness a crime and report it.
for children its a bit different, if a minor is in danger yes treatment providers must report possible threat of harm. then child protective services investigates the threat of harm against a child.