[The Fox & the Hound]

I am really sorry for asking so many questions, but I am really think, the next time I see my therapist, I will tell her about my depression, SI, & suicidal thoughts. It'll be hard, but I really want to tell her, & get better.

Ok so I have some questions, I am a minor:
When does a therapist need to tell someone?
How will she treat it, when I tell her? What kind of question will she ask?
At what point, will she send me to a hospital?

Hey fox,
I think you are really brave to tell your t, it takes courage to admit to doing SI and having these thoughts.
As for your questions...since you are a minor the therapists has to inform your parents to keep you safe. It depends on how serious your thoughts are and how frequent and of course if you are planning to act on them.

Your t will probably do a risk assessment to see how you scale on that: meaning if you plan to act on your thoughts. If you are planning to act on them then it is possible she could call an ambulance there and then. Your t won't take any chances as they are responsible for you because you are a minor.
It is possible that your t will want to see your parents and perhaps you all could have a session together, this is standard procedure.
I wish you good luck in telling

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[Mike_J]

The big questions will be are you in any danger of harming yourself or others. If the answer is yes, then your therapist will have no choice but to inform someone. You being a minor it might just be your parents/guardian, but you could likely end up in the hospital.

Personally I think it's a good idea to tell your therapist everything. If you are in danger of harming yourself, then I would suggest taking some control of the situation by asking your therapist to help you get into a quality in patient facility. This approach will really help your therapist trust you in the future when you might be asked again if you are in danger of harming yourself and say "no" being honest now means being trusted later.

Good luck and please be safe

Isn't this a school counselor or am I remembering wrong? You are a minor, so she will be obligated to inform you parents and will probably suggest further assessment perhaps in a hospital, with a psychiatrist, or with an outside therapist who can spend more time than is available during school hours. School counselors generally don't take any risks with student safety, nor should they. If this a private therapist, notifying parents will still be required (been through this with my own son) and outside assessment may still be recommended.

[nottrustin]

On top of everything else that people have posted they will also ask do you have a plan on how you would do it??

You are very brave...I know it is scary right now but you can do it.

[BeaFlower]

Really, you are brave...do it, it's the best thing to do. With some help you'll be fine. We all cheer on you!

[The Fox & the Hound]

Originally Posted by 1914sierra

Isn't this a school counselor or am I remembering wrong? You are a minor, so she will be obligated to inform you parents and will probably suggest further assessment perhaps in a hospital, with a psychiatrist, or with an outside therapist who can spend more time than is available during school hours. School counselors generally don't take any risks with student safety, nor should they. If this a private therapist, notifying parents will still be required (been through this with my own son) and outside assessment may still be recommended.

No, its a private therapist. I am already going toa counselor with my friend for something else.

The problem is, that, I always say I will do these things, but when I get there I get really scared, & back out.

If you won't mind, what happened in the appointment with your son? Was he sent to hospital? Anyone have experinces with telling there threapist, about there thoughts?

We didn't initially send him to the hospital because he wasn't being completely up front with us about how bad things were and all of us thought he would be okay to be handled outpatient, but a few weeks later we realized that had been a mistake. He hadn't been completely open with us and he ended up taking a med that caused a seizure. He ended up admitted to the hospital for about 2 weeks. (He's doing extremely well now.)

As a mother, I beg you to be completely straight with your therapist and hopefully your parents (if possible) so that you don't put yourself at risk for real harm. It isn't something to toy with. Ask for help please before something goes dreadfully wrong.

[BeaFlower]

Originally Posted by The Fox & the Hound

No, its a private therapist. I am already going toa counselor with my friend for something else.

The problem is, that, I always say I will do these things, but when I get there I get really scared, & back out.

If you won't mind, what happened in the appointment with your son? Was he sent to hospital? Anyone have experinces with telling there threapist, about there thoughts?

I think that you are really brave enough to do it...from your posts I can see that you really want to ask for help, also if it's difficult at the beginning. Your therapist will put you at ease if you start talking...I think that to start is to most difficult thing. Please, try. I'm sure that you can do it, really.

[Espresso]

I think you should be honest about your thoughts even if telling the truth will get you sent to the hospital. But to answer your questions, if she's any good, she shouldn't freak out or anything when you tell her. She'll ask questions to determine how suicidal you are. For example: Do you think, "I want to fall asleep and not wake up" or do you have thoughts of killing yourself? Do you have a plan? Have you taken any steps (like obtaining a means of killing yourself or writing a suicide note)? What stops you from going through with it?

From my own experience, having thoughts will not get you sent to the hospital but telling them that you've taken steps (prepared) to carry out your plan will get you sent to the hospital. I've been questioned many times by many different mental health professionals, and it was always the preparations I've made that they got hung up on.

Also, a therapist needs to tell someone if she thinks you are a danger to yourself or others.

[Stronger]

Maybe try writing it down to tell her. I know how hard it is to just bring it up. But you can do this!

As a minor, your privacy rules are: unless given your permission, your T has to keep everything you tell her confidential unless you are at harm to yourself or others, or you know of someone who is at harm to themselves of others.

However, one time when I was still I minor, I told my T about my suicidal thoughts and she didn't tell anyone. So I guess when it all comes down to it, it really depends on the T.
Good luck with bringing up the tough subjects though. you CAN do it!!

[Victoria'smom]

I've made it very clear to my sons t that I don't want to know anything about his session unless he tells me. If she thinks he needs more therapy or hospitalization tell me that but not the why she feels that way.