View Single Post
 
Old Sep 16, 2016, 12:07 AM
amandalouise's Avatar
amandalouise amandalouise is offline
Wise Elder
 
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: 8CS / NYS / USA
Posts: 9,171
Quote:
Originally Posted by Focus62 View Post
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.
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.
Thanks for this!
ThisWayOut