A Note On Adolescence And Confidentiality In Psychotherapy

As treating professionals and society, it is our responsibility to offer adolescents the best possible experience of healthcare services and in this particular instance, seeking mental health services such as therapy. An adolescents’ first experience of a therapeutic process is likely to inform their help-seeking behaviour, and it may also influence their proclivity to accessing mental health services later in life as adults when needed. 

At the very heart of any therapeutic contract is the need to protect the privacy of the patient- adult or child. An adolescent has the right to confidential communication with the therapist providing their care. What this means is that some of the issues that they discuss will stay between the therapist and the adolescent, and the therapist will not disclose that information to anyone –