[insert_name]

I'm only new here and haven't had much of a look around, so this might be the wrong place, but how would I go about making contact with some form of therapist? Everything on here is saying I have serious issues, I've been self-harming for a year and it's got to the point where I'm losing feeling from cutting nerves, but can't stop, and I'm only 16 so parent always comes in if I mention this.
Is there a way I can see a therapist, not have to tell my mother and also safely mention suicidal thoughts?

[Hopefull]

Possibly. Some states do allow a minor to get therapy without a parent's involvement. What is the reason that you don't want your parent involved in this? As for discussing suicidal thoughts, I have done so with my T however, some people here have had bad experiences. A therapist is required to report if you seem like you are really going to commit suicide. Otherwise, a T can keep it to themselves. It is hard to know when to report and when to not report. I suspect that having a parent involved might make the T more comfortable with the arrangement because a parent can help keep you safe if it comes to that.

I would enquire with a trusted adult. Perhaps ask a teacher, guidance counselor, pastor or someone else. I hope you get the help you need.

[Rapunzel]

It is possible with a good reason not to tell your parents that at 16 a therapist might be able to talk to you without involving them. Usually, though, a parent would have to sign consent for your treatment. Good therapists do what they can to keep your confidentiality, but will encourage you to tell your parents if there is something they should know. They will also encourage your parents to respect your confidentiality. Therapists have a responsibility to keep people safe, so they have to report if they feel in their best judgement you are in danger (or someone else is) or if they know about abuse. They will keep your best interests in mind, and will try to help you to do what is best for you. Therapists do know that suicidal thoughts are a symptom that needs to be treated, and not everyone with those thoughts is in danger of acting on them. Part of their job is to assess whether you are actually at risk for suicide vs having some thoughts that you aren't going to act on.

You might be able to get a referral from your school counselor. Another place to ask might be a planned parenthood clinic. They often have counseling available, and it doesn't have to be about reproduction, and they are very used to keeping confidentiality there. If you call and ask, they may be able to help, and would certainly be able to help you find other options. You might also call the Division of Child and Family Services (or whatever they go by in your state) and ask them for referral information. Community mental health centers are another possibility, although many of them can only provide services to people with Medicaid these days.

[insert_name]

Probably should have mentioned this in my first post, but I'm in a small Australian town, so very little services provided for this sort of thing. I know there is a T in town every Thursday, but after seeing her once, I could never return.

Reasons for not wanting parent involved? Last time she found out about anything going on in my head (didn't tell her, invasion of privacy) she really made things worse. This was the one time when I saw suicide as something I could strive towards. There's also blatent neglect according to my school counsellor.

I think that if you are 16 then there shouldn't be any issues with respect to your records being confidential from your parents. I know that I had therapy when I was 16 with drug and alchohol services and my parents didn't know about that at all. That was NZ, but I'd imagine things would be similar between NZ and Australia.

Why couldn't you return to the therapist you saw? Can your school counsellor refer you on to see anyone else?