Therapist confidentiality with cutting?

[Anonymous]

Hey, I am going to a college therapist on Monday to discuss a variety of things. One of which is the fact that I have been cutting myself on and off. I was also suicidal at one or two points, but am not anymore.
Will the therapist tell my parents? Will she/he tell them about the cutting only if I am still at it? Or are they obligated to mention any such things to my parents even if I have stopped?
And the part about being suicidal. If I am not suicidal anymore will the therapist have to tell my parents that I once was?
I am an 18 year old female if that makes any difference.
Thanks.

[Anonymous]

I believe since you're an adult, they can't tell you parents anything. It'd break confidentiality and they could get in some serious trouble if they do.

[NeecoVirus]

Hi. I am in my fourth year of University in Canada. I have attended counselling sessions myself. Just wanted to say that there is a confidentiality between therapist and patient. They cannot legally disclose your information to anyone.

That being said, there are two exceptions. If you are founded to be suicidal at the time the therapist is seeing you, then they are legally allowed to disclose your information. Secondly, if police ask for your reports, they are obligated to give them information as well.

Hope that helps. If you "WERE" once suicidal and not anymore, I don't think they would do anything about it... unless the therapist deems you still suicidal. I told my therapist that, actually just last year today I committed suicide... She was shocked, but after the hour talk, she didn't think I had any issues with suicidal ideology. My session with her was confidential and no one else was contacted.

[Tiny Catastrophe]

I've been to a ton of therapists and as long as you aren't currently a danger to yourself or anyone else, what you tell the therapist cannot be shared with anyone.

[Anonymous]

Op here.
Thanks guys. And just a random question. Do you think it would be weird if I brought a paper basically saying everything I am feeling? I am bad with words saying them out loud. Thanks
Is it weird that I'm kinda excited to see the therepist too?

[NeecoVirus]

That is not weird to bring a piece of paper in. Its how you communicate your feelings right? Also not weird to feel excited, I love seeing my counseller; she listens to me talk for an hour lol.

[Tiny Catastrophe]

That's not weird at all. Sometimes it's much easier to write how you're feeling. I know that's the case with me. And being excited is a good thing. It means you want to be helped and make positive changes in your life. If you have anymore questions feel free to PM me.

[Eleanor Rigby]

Originally Posted by Anonymous

Op here.
Thanks guys. And just a random question. Do you think it would be weird if I brought a paper basically saying everything I am feeling? I am bad with words saying them out loud. Thanks
Is it weird that I'm kinda excited to see the therepist too?

That's not weird at all
When I was in therapy, I used to make lists about what I wanted to talk about in sessions. I was often thinking about something that was important to me during the week and then forget to tell about it during the appointment, so I started to make lists that I kept in my hand-bag of the things I wanted to talk about and the feelings I had about a thing or another.
If you think it would be helping you to write down how you're feeling, I think it would be a very good idea to do so.
Take care, Cécile

[Anonymous]

OP here.
Thanks guys yeah I plan to open up as much as possible. And I tend to open up in my writing a lot better than I do speaking out loud. I will keep you posted.

[Anonymous]

OP here again, Okay my session is today at five. I am so darn nervous eeek! I'll let you know how it goes.

[Anonymous]

OP here
Okay I went and it was pretty awesome we basically just got to know each other but I actually really liked it. It was good. I am going again in about two weeks (because the guy was all booked up until then).
But yeah, Thanks you guys.