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How to talk to a therapist without your parents knowing?

234 Answers
Last Updated: 06/04/2022 at 5:56pm
How to talk to a therapist without your parents knowing?
1 Tip to Feel Better
United States
Moderated by

Tracy-Kate Teleke, PsyD, M.A., LMFT

Marriage & Family Therapist

I assist adults and couples in CA experiencing relationship challenges and interpersonal struggles including anxiety, depression, and a myriad of other life challenges.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
June 14th, 2018 12:13pm
You can contact a local therapist. Since "the law protects the confidentiality of all communications between a client and psychotherapist" you can feel safe that they won't tell anyone whatever you share with them. You can ask them not to tell your parents and they should respect your desire.
rxgdxll
May 5th, 2019 10:21pm
You should be able to find an online thertapist. Either online or through an app for whichever would be best for you. This way you have the conversation you wish for from the therapist without having to risk you parents know. Do whichever is easiest keep from having to tell them until you are ready to confess doing this to them. Both should be free so you don’t gave to risk them learning by this. But remember, you should tell them when you feel best to do it. Don’t leave them in the dark about this kind of issue if you can trust them with it
greatfulRainfall46
July 24th, 2020 5:28am
this depends on you location of residence. Some therapy locations won’t allow children of a certain age services without their parents consent. my location of residence has the age at 12 for some locations and 16 at others. You can always talk to the therapist and see if they are willing to make arrangements that don’t involve your parents. As well, many schools offer therapist specialists so you could always ask the office or a trusted teacher to be connected with them:)! It does get a little tricky trying to make the appointments so that your parents aren’t involved, so i go suggest if possible just let your parents know you intend on doing this so they can assist with travel. however if this is not a possibility you could see what type of transportation is available to you
peacefulforest42
April 2nd, 2020 12:09am
It depends on the age and if there are local laws regarding minors. In general, therapists seem adept at keeping things confidential. I would suggest bringing this concern up to the therapist. They may have experience in this and a plan for how to proceed. It is also good to share concerns with your therapist so they can understand you better. It also lets the therapist know that you may not appreciate texted reminders or calls about upcoming appointments. Some therapists work very well with this. By discussing it, it gives both of you the opportunity to collaborate on what works best.
Anonymous
October 31st, 2019 2:00am
Therapy can be a crucial and extremely helpful tool for those battling mental health issues. Therapists are held to the same standards as a medical doctor in that they are held to an oath of confidentiality and cannot discuss what you share with them, unless they feel that you are a danger to yourself or others. The downside of therapy is that it can be a costly resource. Sometimes schools, universities and even local clinics do have free or discounted rates which allow you to talk with a counselor or therapist without the financial burden. If you have a means of getting to the therapists location, and the financial cost is something you can take on either because of free resources or your own form of income, you should be able to talk with a therapist without your parents knowing. There are also online resources, such as 7 cups, which has free listeners, as well as trained therapists you can connect to which would also be private and confidential.
megan1207
July 8th, 2018 11:16pm
Honestly, you really can't. One thing you could try is when you go to get your regular doctor's check-up, you could ask to talk to them privately. Another thing you could to is talk to a school counselor. We all at 7Cups are here to help!
moonstory
February 17th, 2019 6:14pm
Most schools have school therapists that are willing to help you. Just go to your school's website and you'll probably find information on that topic. Your parents don't have to know that way, as it's at school and can sometimes even be during classes. Everything you discuss with him/her is completely confindential, so you don't have to worry about anything influencing your grades or relations with teachers or anything. Another possibilty would be to look for a therapist on the internet for example, that is covered by your medical insurance. That way your parents won't have to pay for it and it is also completely confindential, so they don't have to know about it.
YoureAQueen
July 8th, 2018 6:42pm
Try free counseling and professional help online. But before that, try talking it out with your parents. Understand them and make them understand you. If that doesn’t work, try seeking online help♡
Anonymous
July 4th, 2018 5:32am
Being a minor this can be extremely difficult as you are most likely on your parents insurance. If your therapist does not require guardian consent you can always email them inquiring how your sessions will appear on the insurance statements. You may also consider inquiring about out of pocket payments
Anonymous
June 27th, 2018 11:24pm
I've already tried doing that and I wasn't able to succeed. If you're a minor, your parents are going to have to make an appointment (I tried making it on my own, didn't work) and if you need insurance, your insurance will probably notify your parents.
Anonymous
May 19th, 2018 5:52pm
Maybe it’s best if your parents know.But if you don’t want them knowing try maybe a school counselor
hopefulPeace65
May 13th, 2018 10:08pm
Just don't tell them. Personally i can understand the pressure of your parents knowing your seeing a therapist. So until your comfortable with your therapist, just wait it out.
Anonymous
May 11th, 2018 8:16pm
You could get in touch with your schools councelor and that way get in touch with a therapist. You could also tell a theraphist not to tell everything t your parents.
Anonymous
May 9th, 2018 9:54pm
come to 7 cups, its online and they dont know, however if things to seem to escalate, call a hotline or consult with a trusted adult
HappyShaeee
May 9th, 2018 2:36am
You can always come to this site, or you can always call in a hotline that’s in your area. It is confidential and safe to talk on.
Anonymous
April 27th, 2018 6:43am
It might be worth while looking for free services in your area if you didn't want to go down the doctor route out of fear your parents finding out. But anything you say to a therapist is confidential even to your parents.
Anonymous
April 27th, 2018 2:56am
Unless you REALLY have the money to do it yourself, it's probably not a good idea. Your parents might have an insurance plan that partially covers the cost of a therapist. I don't exactly know your situation and why you would not tell your parents, but usually trying to do it on your own will probably go noticed.
Anonymous
April 8th, 2018 6:40pm
That can be difficult. It's important to have support from your family, but I understand that sometimes that simply isn't an option. Talking to active listeners and therapists on 7 Cups can be helpful, and it's completely anonymous. A school counselor would most likely be willing to listen to you and offer support and resources. You could make an appointment with your regular doctor and tell them you think talking to a therapist would benefit you, there is patient confidentiality but be aware that therapists may require parental consent.
delightfulKiwi95
April 8th, 2018 1:01am
Assuming you're a minor, there isn't much you can do, as far as I know. Most therapists and psychologists won't even see a minor without parental consent due to malpractice. If you strongly feel you need to see a therapist, and your parents won't let you, talk to someone higher up in the chain of authority of the world who can help you. A principal, a police officer, a support group.
Th3SoundOfSil3nce
April 6th, 2018 4:20am
My school has a school therapist and you can ask the counselor if he could help you schedule an appointment. You can have him or her call you in during school and everything is confidential.
lovelyGrace10
March 30th, 2018 5:23am
Talk to your doctor first. Your doctor has an obligation to keep your conversations confidential. A doctor can easily refer you to a therapist, who also will keep your meetings confidential.
Rhen
November 23rd, 2017 1:33pm
Therapists must be confidential unless they feel you are at immediate risk of harm. You have to be 16 to receive anything from them medication wise however
eeveeon
December 6th, 2017 9:17am
Book a doctors appointment and request a therapist. Your doctor is not allowed to let anyone else know what you are doing.
Anonymous
December 1st, 2017 4:59pm
If you are a student, then the chances are that your school whether it would be primary, secondary or tertiary would have some sort of free counselling program. Otherwise there are free therapy phone hotline for young people I believe.
Anonymous
November 30th, 2017 11:08pm
It's always good to tell your parents our feelings but sometimes not, doing what you are doing now is fine
palan
November 29th, 2017 8:00pm
7Cups! Read the ratings and reviews and pick yourself a really good one, my experience is that the best people here are even better than a good therapist sometimes. Choose someone for compassion and love, not what they say, because that is what is really healing
BukiDuki
November 29th, 2017 3:51am
Sometimes you are able to meet up with and talk to a therapist and personally ask them to not tell anyone about your meeting. They don't have a right to tell your parents if you don't want them to know
Anonymous
November 24th, 2017 2:09pm
Depends on your age and your problems. I understand you want to seek advise without your parents knowing about it. This is the best place to take therapy. Hope it helps:)
suxipi
November 15th, 2017 5:19am
One of the best ways to do that is if there is a therapist at your school or university health center!
Anonymous
November 10th, 2017 6:34am
You could find them online :) personally I've done it so late so I recommend you do not hesitate to contact a therapist or a listener when you identify a potential mental problem.