What not to tell your therapist or psychologist to find yourself in jail

It's not just going to jail that is an issue. If you are going through a divorce and aren't a threat to anyone and haven't done anything wrong, your records can be used against you, so people are often discouraged by their divorce attorneys not to seek help if they are having problems, these are people going through a very stressful live event, and you will be punished just for seeking some support.

And I would agree with you about jail being crap and in relation to the relatively less harmful things but looking at the list:

- when you are a danger to yourself or others,
- There is abuse of a child under the age of 16 involved.

any of these 2 I think I would rather were shared with a therapist than continue to keep happening, even given the risk of jail if, for example, a person is abusing or harming someone else then that needs to stop, it is no longer just a matter of their own needs as someone with a MH problem any more. I would not wish to encourage anyone to keep such things quiet to protect themselves.

I am confused by many of the replies that focus on being a threat to self or others. Unless I've got this wrong, you are asking what other things would cause a therapist to report a client that could land them in jail?

I don't think there's any mandate for a therapist to report illegal activity that's not in those other categories you mentioned--so, for example, many people go to therapy who use illegal drugs. I can't see a therapist being required to report that. It would be more like they would try to get that person into treatment or work with them to stop using (if they're an addiction specialist).

Human trafficking would, I think, fall under harm to others (likely minors).

Can you share what caused you to go to jail that was not related to threatening yourself or others? I guess I am confused what you're asking.

Why bother going to a therapist or pdoc if you are going to withhold such vital information, they won't be able to truly help you.

Exactly. If I need to be arrested or hospitalized, I might not know it or could know it and am looking for the help in a roundabout way. Be open and honest. I've told about a few laws I seriously fractured and was told they couldn't say anything outside of treatment about those because they weren't outright physically damaging to others. I needed to be arrested at the time but certainly didn't want to be. I did stop those behaviors though, and it was a long time ago, 11 years and I was mixed mood at the time but fully paranoid too.

Your therapist should have informed you at the beginning of treatment of his or her confidentiality obligations and restrictions, and should have a written copy of their office policies and legal obligations available to patients.

The rules are pretty clear. (To me, anyway, but then I deal with similar confidentiality rules in my work so it felt very familiar when my t went over them with me.) You would likely get the most accurate information for legal restrictions and what disclosures fall under mandatory reporting laws for your area by discussing it with your therapist as a general topic or asking for a copy of their policy. Or you can google therapy confidentiality laws for your state.

Do you trust your therapist enough to ask him about it directly? The law may vary by state/country.

From my experience of being Baker Acted twice for nothing ... out in 2 hrs each time ... I agree with you 100%

Thanks for the Reply

Baker acted is involuntary treatment, which is different than jail, although I get how that might feel the same.

If it was you going to jail and having to strip down and all the money taken from your wallet and cell phone analyzed for more prosecution or crucifixion you might feel different

the worst kind a patient was tell us he had $1,800 in his wallet entering and $20 leaving

being Baker acted my advice ... at your first opportunity when noone is looking toss your wallet and cell phone in the bushes to be picked up by you later..

otherwise you will lose all your money
and be prosecuted more for what is on your cell phone

If I had things on my phone that could get me arrested, the problem wouldn't be what I told my therapist.

The issue is that therapy should be that place where you can discuss things and not feel threatened or judged. The issue is that there might be certain elements in a client’s story that might have something that’s considered unlawful. How does a client feel safe to talk or does that client withhold that information. What if that information that is being held is pertinent to the healing process in therapy but I hat client can’t reveal
that truth because of the fear of what can happen.

That’s just one part of the issue. The second part is how the therapist interprets it and what he or she feels so be passed along or not. At this point we are not even talking about if and how you’re being judged by the therapist. It’s a tough situation.

I know I’ve held certain information from my therapist because I know her lifestyle and who she is. I pretty much know what’s acceptable to her or not. There are many things that I have to leave out. Every therapist is different and so it’s hard for clients to know where the fine line is with certain Ts.

If you were abusing or harming someone else they might feel different, that's what I was referring to

Great Advice ... I left out nothing and was an open book to her telling her everything ... My therapy the police at my door ... I came for a trust and anxiety disorder ... how do you think that has done in terms of therapy

increased my anxiety and distrust 100x

Yikes. Did you know to ask the police for help with it instead of get defensive? They usually go away on their own when you do that or actually get you the help. I hope it gets better

You open the door ... they don't talk ... they are not therapists... there job is to just handcuff you ... and take you away ... they are there to handcuff or kill you and if they have to kill you ... well in good authority ... they all have a chiseled off serial number gun to place in your hands ... all police carry that

Well he had a gun ... No more questions asked of the policeman ... off free after killing someone

The way it is done ... sorry to inform the naive

I suppose I've known and semi-worked with some exceptions to your rule. Most cops don't want to arrest or harm anyone. They're much more able to talk with you than you might think. They are people too.

My t doesn't call the police when I say I've been doing drugs

this is Reality ... you are Dreaming ... I've lived longer than you to know little one

Mine admits to having smoked weed somewhat recently even. I know, not much of a drug, but he still admits it.

If my t told me he smoked weed I would be concerned

What's with the condescending and patronizing tone?

Drugs is not something a therapist can report without your written release of that information

Well other things don't need your consent or release

I was responding to the previous poster who was wondering if they should share that information