[alycat]

I have a problem I need help with. I live with someone who makes their money illegally. I have been involved with this person for many years. I don't know if I can talk to my therapist about this or not. I have many guilty feelings involving this but am confused because I need the money to pay for my therapy...

[hamster-bamster]

Originally Posted by alycat

I have a problem I need help with. I live with someone who makes their money illegally. I have been involved with this person for many years. I don't know if I can talk to my therapist about this or not. I have many guilty feelings involving this but am confused because I need the money to pay for my therapy...

you can. Therapists are mandated to disclose certain information that is being given to them in the course of their work. How someone makes money is NOT that kind of information. For any information that is NOT that kind of information, you are protected by confidentiality between you and the therapist.

Disclaimer: this is true for California.

Advice: READ the privacy notice that your therapist has given you. If you have misplaced it as most people do, request another copy.

[hamster-bamster]

You are OK. I made a search for a typical Ohio privacy policy in a relationship between a client and a psychotherapist and here is what comes up:

"
Confidentiality & Privacy Policy

The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychotherapist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.

Exceptions include:

Suspected child abuse or dependant adult or elder abuse, for which I am required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately.
If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, I must notify the police and inform the intended victim.
If a client intends to harm himself or herself, I will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in insuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, I will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.
"
Privacy Policy: Therapy Privacy Policy | Toledo OH

As you see, the exceptions do not include illegal money-making.

[alycat]

Thank you Hamster-Bamster.