[Indie'sOK]

I admit that I've been feeling pretty bad lately, a lot worse than usual. I've returned to SI, and I told my therapist (thinking it would be safe, of course)...she informed me that if I continued to hurt myself and was still doing so by our next session, we would have to tell my parents.

So I'm confused..can anyone answer my question? Since I am 18 years old, aren't I entitled to confidentiality? It doesn't make sense why she would "need" to tell them...is it because I still live at home? If I were in college and living on my own while seeing a therapist, would it make a difference?

This seems unfair to me. I get why she would need to do this if I were much younger, but I'm not. And she's never threatened me like this when I've SIed before...why now?

Therapists can contact a family member is they feel your safety is in question, even if you are not a minor.

Are you suicidal? If not, your therapist might have gotten SI confused with that. If so, you need to correct this.

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with Michigan's medical consent laws. Perhaps you can look into it online. Ontario's legal age of medical consent is 16. A therapist has no right to contact family without a client's (usu. written) permission, unless it is a life threatening emergency.

[Indie'sOK]

Originally Posted by Didgee Eeyou

Are you suicidal? If not, your therapist might have gotten SI confused with that. If so, you need to correct this.

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with Michigan's medical consent laws. Perhaps you can look into it online. Ontario's legal age of medical consent is 16. A therapist has no right to contact family without a client's (usu. written) permission, unless it is a life threatening emergency.

I will look into this..thanks!

http://billmcdonaldonline.com/confidentiality.html

I found the above link with information from a therapist practicing in Michigan:

"
We keep a written record of treatment and conditions, this r ecord itself considered confidential in accord with the laws of the State of Michigan regulating privileged communication, except when:
- legal constraints apply
- when a compelling need arises based on substantial probability of personal harm to the client(s) or others, or in cases of a life-threatening emergency,
- when an insurance carrier asks to review the records to verify the services billed to it have been rendered, and/or
- when the client has signed an appropriate form for the release of information"

Looks like the key part pertaining to you is what I bolded. If your T is calling your SI "."substantial probability of personal harm to the client(s)", then she looks to be within the law.

Sounds like you need to have this discussion with your T though.

[Indie'sOK]

Originally Posted by farmergirl

http://billmcdonaldonline.com/confidentiality.html

I found the above link with information from a therapist practicing in Michigan:

"
We keep a written record of treatment and conditions, this r ecord itself considered confidential in accord with the laws of the State of Michigan regulating privileged communication, except when:
- legal constraints apply
- when a compelling need arises based on substantial probability of personal harm to the client(s) or others, or in cases of a life-threatening emergency,
- when an insurance carrier asks to review the records to verify the services billed to it have been rendered, and/or
- when the client has signed an appropriate form for the release of information"

Looks like the key part pertaining to you is what I bolded. If your T is calling your SI "."substantial probability of personal harm to the client(s)", then she looks to be within the law.

Sounds like you need to have this discussion with your T though.

Thanks for looking this up for me...I looked and couldn't find much. Yeah, I know she's the only one who can answer this question for me. The reason I haven't asked her is because I don't want her to take it the wrong way. I'm afraid of her reaction if she thinks I'm getting defensive.