[lonelywoman32]

I have a question. I am currently in therapy and I know therapist have those rules about reporting if you want to hurt yourself or others but what happens if you did already and want to tell them? For example Last week i tried to cut myself because i was upset and depressed but wasn't suicidal. Do I tell my therapist? I am wondering if she would send me to the hospital or can I tell her that I am willing to go on medication to treat my mental health? The cut is healing but its still visible and it hurts looking at it. Any input would help because I am curious on what that rule means.

If you have already done something, they cannot disclose it. If you told him you were GOING to seriously harm yourself or hurt another person at all, they would have to disclose.

[ThisWayOut]

while it can be different everywhere, the gist of it is: past tense is just that. if you are no longer a danger to yourself or others, then they have no real grounds on which to break confidentiality... and often times self-injury does not fall under that category at all unless your methods or history pegs you as at risk for serious harm from an episode of self injury (ie: you say you will remove a limb, or you have a history of severe self-injury that nearly resulted in death, you are at an addiction point where, while the individual instances of injury do not cause much harm, the cumulative effect could be serious... things of that nature). While it is not unheard of to hospitalize solely on the basis of self-injury, it is less common these days. It may be suggested that you seek medical attention for your injury, but, unless your T does not have experience with self-injury or you are a minor, they don't often seek hospitalization for self-injury... have you ever talked about it with your T? If you are still worried, you can always ask your T to review the bounds of his or her confidentiality. That way you will know exactly where you stand with that person.

Well I had cut myself before I went to therapy for the first time. I told my t and she rang my doctor. Hence, my distrust of confidentiality. You should maybe ask your t about confidentiality first.

[Victoria'smom]

There are different rules for under 18.

My T is very into privacy though she can to talk to my pdoc she has never. For my T It's usually: Why? What steps are you making for x not to happen (happen again)? When is your next appointment with T or Pdoc? I would sit down and write a crisis plan before you go and take it.

I would seriously talk to your T. Especially since you have guilt associated with it. I would tell her that I am willing to go on medication to treat my mental health? but only if you truly will. Say it wasn't a suicide attempted. Best of luck.

[Raging Quiet]

I speak to my T about self harm a lot of the time. We are working on safer releases but she has never told my GP or taken it further.

If you are under 18; the rules where you are may be different.

[lonelywoman32]

Originally Posted by Miguel'smom

There are different rules for under 18.

My T is very into privacy though she can to talk to my pdoc she has never. For my T It's usually: Why? What steps are you making for x not to happen (happen again)? When is your next appointment with T or Pdoc? I would sit down and write a crisis plan before you go and take it.

I would seriously talk to your T. Especially since you have guilt associated with it. I would tell her that I am willing to go on medication to treat my mental health? but only if you truly will. Say it wasn't a suicide attempted. Best of luck.

I see my therapist on Tuesday and I only did it once. The last few days I haven't even thought of doing it again but I will talk to her. First I'll ask about the confidential rule then I'll tell her. Knowing her shes suggest that I'd go on medication like she always has. I have enough time to think about that as well. I am well over 18 so I should be OK. I will keep you all updated. Thanks for the advice everyone

[Syra]

Originally Posted by lonelywoman32

I see my therapist on Tuesday and I only did it once. The last few days I haven't even thought of doing it again but I will talk to her. First I'll ask about the confidential rule then I'll tell her.

[B]Good idea.