Understanding Confidentiality for Children & Teens

We understand that parents and guardians play a vital role in a child's mental health journey and often have questions about what is shared during sessions. Our goal is to balance your involvement with your child’s need for a private space to grow and heal.

What To Expect

To build a trusting relationship, therapists generally do not share every detail of their conversations with your child or teen. This privacy helps your child feel safe being honest, which is essential for effective therapy.

During the first session, the therapist will discuss confidentiality with you and your child. This conversation covers:

  • How progress updates will be shared with you.
  • Which types of information will remain private between the therapist and the child.
  • The clinical reasons for maintaining certain boundaries of privacy.

Your Options

You and the therapist will work together to agree on a communication plan. While specific details of conversations may remain private, therapists frequently provide parents with:

  • General updates on therapeutic progress.
  • Strategies and tools to support your child at home.
  • Guidance on how to navigate specific challenges.

 

Important Notes

Spring Health manages member information in accordance with applicable privacy and data protection laws.

  • Legal Access: As a parent or legal guardian, you generally have the right to access your minor child’s records, except where restricted by law.
  • Location-Specific Laws: Requirements regarding minor consent and parental access vary by location. Some jurisdictions grant minors specific rights to confidential care that may limit what can be shared with parents.
  • Safety Exceptions: Confidentiality is maintained unless there is a concern regarding the safety of the child or others. In such cases, therapists are required to take appropriate action in accordance with applicable laws and professional standards.

For more information, please review our Privacy Policy.

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