FAQs for Adolescents

I currently work with pre-teens and teenagers ages 10 and up.

In California, anyone 12 or older may consent to mental health treatment if, in the opinion of the therapist, the minor is mature enough to participate in the mental health treatment intelligently. Teens who would like to consent privately to their own treatment are welcome to reach out to me. Teens who agree to treatment privately are responsible for their own payment and fees.

Frequently, caregivers are the ones who arrange therapy services for my adolescent clients, which may include their participation in the initial consultation and scheduling arrangements. Once the treatment begins, it’s crucial to emphasize that I provide a high level of confidentiality to the adolescent clients. In most cases, I do not routinely engage with parents unless there is a perceived danger, threat, or serious concern for the teen’s well-being. When such situations arise, my primary approach is to involve the adolescent in the conversation, ideally with them present in the room. This approach is intended to maintain a sense of trust, privacy, and confidentiality, all of which are essential for successful therapy and building a therapeutic relationship.

Absolutely, caregivers are welcome to join sessions when it’s mutually agreeable to both the teenager and the parent. These conjoint sessions can support the teen and help address various aspects of their therapeutic journey. Caregivers may participate in these sessions to process conflicts, address misunderstandings, discuss sensitive subjects, or review therapy progress. It’s all about fostering a collaborative and open environment to ensure the best possible outcomes for adolescents and their families. An important note is that once I am an individual therapist to an adolescent client, I am their therapist. Should a family require deeper therapeutic work, I am happy to offer referrals to other providers as I cannot serve as an individual and family therapist at the same time.

As an associate therapist in California, I am legally mandated to report any instances where a teenager’s safety or well-being is at risk. This includes situations involving child abuse, neglect, or harm to themselves or others. While I highly value confidentiality and privacy in our therapeutic relationship, my primary commitment is to ensure the safety and welfare of my adolescent clients. In such cases, I am obligated to break confidentiality and make a report to the appropriate authorities. Please rest assured that I will always strive to discuss any such actions with you and your teen before taking any steps, whenever possible. I thoroughly review mandated reporting and limits to confidentiality during our first session, as I know it can be a scary and complicated subject.

Navigating issues related to sex, drugs, and behavior issues with teenagers can be complex, especially when considering both ethical and legal responsibilities. My primary duty is to protect the safety, well-being, and privacy of my adolescent clients. Typically, I do not share with parents when there is consensual sex between teens within certain age limits, as determined by California law or when I learn of recreational drug use that is not posing a serious threat. Privacy is essential to adolescents who seek mental health care, and studies suggest that when adolescents perceive that their health care is not confidential, they are less likely to seek care.

My approach typically involves discussing these matters with the teenager and working collaboratively to determine the best course of action. While I aim to respect the confidentiality and autonomy of the adolescent, my ultimate responsibility is to ensure their safety and so if I believe there is a significant risk to the teen’s well-being or the well-being of others, I may need to involve parents or legal authorities, following the guidelines and legal requirements in California. Transparency, open communication, and centering the teenager’s best interests are at the core of my approach to handling such sensitive issues.

Absolutely. With pre-teens, I typically involve parents more and am required by law to obtain consent from both legal guardians for clients aged 11 and under. I use more creative modalities with pre-teens, such as play, music, and art therapies to engage them effectively. As clients transition to their teenage years, my approach evolves towards more talk therapy interventions. For clients aged 10-13, I may also offer parent sessions due to the increased need for parental involvement. Additionally, mandated reporting requirements are somewhat stricter when working with pre-teens, and the issues addressed often differ due to distinct developmental markers in these age groups.