[BrittneyNicole]

I would love to get a T or a counsolour, but I dont want to get my family introble.
I dont think I will ever be able to talk to someone, EVER.

My dad is a druggie, so is my brother, and so am I.

I dont want to go to a psych hospital, and thats why i'm afraid of getting a T.

My life is intense, to the point where you can barley breathe.
If I told a T about my family issues, I bet they would end up calling the cops and telling them whats going on.

I dont want that, and I'm excited and teriffied of looking into T's.

I'm excited because, FINALLY I get to have someone to talk to who will allready understand.

I'm Teriffied because I dont want to get anyone in troble, Nor get myself introble.

What should I do?!?????
I'm so confused on this.

[Yoda]

If you get a therapist you should ask what kind of things would the therapist be mandated to report. Usually it is endangering yourself or somebody else. If your family situation is bad enough that the therapist feels you are endangered they might report it but I don't think a therapist would report drug abuse unless they feel it endangers somebody. When my Pdoc asked me if I used any recreational drugs I asked him if he was going to record it in my notes if I were. He said nobody had ever asked him that before which surprised me. I agreed to talk about my drug use as long as he did not record what we talked about.

I wish you luck finding a T you can trust.

[Moreta]

Get a therapist. There's a doctor/patient confidentiality clause, and unless your life is in immediate danger (or someone around you) they won't report anything.

I think you should get a therapist. They would only report your family's drug issues if they were a danger to you. If not, there would be no reason for anything you say to be heard by anyone else but you and your T.

Therapy can be extremely helpful, and is often a big part of recovery. Best of luck to you in the search for a good T.

[canineserenity]

When you talk to a therapist for the first time, you can ask what the mandated reporting rules are. You can also ask what criteria he/she would use for a mandatory hospital referral. You should be able to ask this upfront before ever talking to them.
Mandated reported rules are that they have to report if they feel you are a danger to yourself or others or if you are in a dangerous situation and are a minor or a senior.
This can be open to interpretation somewhat. If a therapist feels your parents drug use puts you in a dangerous situation, they must report. So ask for their ground rules upfront. If your parents are not neglecting you, are providing for your basic needs (food, clothing, and shelter), and are not physically, emotionally, or emotionally abusing you, you should be safe from a mandatory reporting situation. You are older and able to take care of a lot of your own needs (you could fix your own dinner for example even if it were a sandwich). However, if you have a two year old sibling in the house that is not being cared for, that could be reinterpreted because a two year old should not be expected to make his own dinner. You need to feel confident talking to the therapist so having this conversation up front puts the rules on the table and you know where you stand. Note that older kids are seldom removed from homes unless it is an extreme situation.

[BrittneyNicole]

I am a minor, 17, I just wish I had someone to talk to.

[BlackPup]

Most counsellors are really reluctant to "tell on" their clients - even with 17 year olds... (except for mandatory reporting - which is for neglect and abuse...) it totally ruins any theraputic relationship...
My psych has only forceably hospitalised 1 patient in 15 years of private practise, while my hubby has done half a dozen this year in the emergency department...
If you seek help by going to a doctor/therapist it indicates that you want to get better which makes them less likely to think you need hospitalisation...

I agree with the others, ask where they stand on reporting etc before you go. There are also different styles of counselling, so before you go ask them what kind of therapy they do and to explain how it works. Its better to ask up front than to go through an hour of talking about really personal stuff and wasting good money on someone that just doesn't work for you.

I would ring up a few different people and chose the one that you feel most comfortable with, it is definitely worth it.

[BrittneyNicole]

Thanks so much Black pup for the advice ^_^ , I will make sure I ask them.

Hopefully I just have enough money to get one.

[sugahorse1]

Shame Brittany - I'd follow the advise given by all above; I really think you'd be safe with a T. I want to go see a T, but also have fees and finances to worry about. I think it's good to have an unobjective person listen and help you with what you're dealing with.
I'm sure you'll find an underlying cause for your drug abuse too, which a T can help you with.
(((HUGS)))

[WendyAussie]

I agree with everyone not to short-change yourself. Therapy is a fundamental part of my life and part of what I need to move forward with my mental illnesses. I think it might put your mind at rest to ask the therapist specifically what they are required to report and then you can structure what you tell them from that. There is so much on offer for you as a young person starting out early in your life to get therapy. Geez I wish I'd done it when I was much younger.

[BrittneyNicole]

Thanks for the advice Sugahorse and WendyAussie, How much do T's usually cost? I've looked on the internet but prices are all over the place. What does everyone pay to see a Therapist?

[Amandas256]

I pay 80 dollars an hour. Our community also has a free program for people without insurance. Maybe yours does too. I would check into that.

[WendyAussie]

I'm in Australia so our fees are different to the US.

[FLWRCHILD78]

Every therapist is different, and depending on the type of counselor or therapist you find the prices are all going to be different. Your best bet would be to find one through your community, there are programs available for those that have little to no insurance and most will work with you. Good luck to you young one, I'm so sorry you have to endure this kind of life. I was raised by my grandmother because both of my parents were drug addicts, I fell down that rabbit hole myself for a little while, but I came out of it ok. I'm 31 and going to school to become a psychologist focusing on addiction. Keep us posted on how you're doing.

[lostandscared54]

My question would be, what ails you psychologically? You may also want to check out local support groups. There are depression, bipolar, and schizophrenia geared groups locally. you should look into it.