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Psychologist break confidentiality?
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Hello I have a question regarding when a psychologist is allowed to break confidentiality.
I am over 18 but was abused at 15.
If I speak to a psychologist about the details, can she break confidentiality and tell the police?
Or is it only if someone is still a minor that they can do this?
I did some reading and I think as I was the victim and am now over 18 that I can choose to keep it confidential? Is this correct?
Thank you
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Also could she break confidentiality if she believes that I could be at risk with the person not having been reported/identified?
Police did not believe me and I just have a big issue and fear of them now and just want to speak to a psychologist but I do not ever want to speak to police again. Thank you.
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Hi TimTams,
Thanks for your post.
Yes, you are correct. The mandatory reporting laws are for children and young people up to the age of 18. Given that you're now over 18, they now no longer apply to you.
While legally, her hands are tied if you are still at risk or being abused over the age of 18, I'd imagine that she'd want to work with you really closely to keep you safe.
I hope this answers your question. You can also ask your psychologist this too (without giving them the details) and they can go into more depth.
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Thank you for confirming romantic_thi3f. I have just been really upset lately and realise I really do need help and someone to talk to. I have been really struggling because nobody believed me. The only person who does believe me would be my ex-partner who did it, and I am certain at this point that he is not a good person and will never apologise, tell the truth and come forward. Police did not believe me when I told them about what my ex-partner did (which resembled what happened to me at 15). I just really need to speak to someone about it but the details are really hard to talk about. I hope talking to someone who I am paying to listen to me will not only believe me but want to listen.
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Hi TimTams,
It’s great to see you working on your health and searching for safe ways to heal from your past experiences of abuse.I am sorry to hear you are struggling and hope that some therapy will support you going forward. You pose some really important questions about treatment concerns that many people have in relation to confidentiality.
I always recommend that you raise this at the very first session you have with your treating therapist and ask them about their privacy and confidentiality processes. When you address your questions directly to them, I would hope this leads to an open discussion about your worry in relation to when I psychologist would breach confidentiality.
Most often, the only time this would occur is when there is a safety concern such as an imminent risk of harm to yourself, to others or to your reputation. Most often a psychologist would try to work with you to avoid a confidentiality breach. Typically a psychologist will advise you of what they would report (if they needed to) and why and would not do this behind your back.
In your situation, you are under no obligation to disclose the name of the person who abused you. You are not a minor and are able to decide whether you want to raise your concerns to the police. If you describe an imminent risk to another minor then a Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse report could be made by your health provider. Each state has its own legislation of this nature.
The best way to reduce your worry is to be up front with your psychologist about the worries you have and address these early so they don’t interfere with your therapy sessions.
Your worries are legitimate and are shared by many others. You are not alone. I am optimistic you will feel relieved when you address your worry with your psychologist directly.
Wishing you the best possible outcome,
Nurse Jenn
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Hi TimTams,
Reading what you've gone through, I'm not surprised at all that you're asking these questions and doubtful about being open with her. I'm sorry that you had to go through that awful experience.
I get too that it is about trust, because we can sit here and outline these laws and codes of ethics, but it's you who has to feel comfortable believing that what you say won't need to leave that room. Whether you see a psychologist, a GP, a counsellor or a psychiatrist - they're all bound by laws, codes and confidentiality agreements.
The one thing that I'd really suggest is to tell her how you feel about what's going on. She doesn't even have to know the details just yet, but that way she can learn what's going through your mind and also be super transparent. If she's vague, it's okay to ask questions. I tell my therapist that I want her to be straight with me, so you can do the same.
I do hope that you're able to find a way to talk to someone; I feel like if you have a good psychologist, the benefits will far outweigh all of those fears.
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