Understanding the Rules Around Teen Confidentiality

Parents often wonder what gets discussed during therapy sessions with their teenager — and that’s completely normal. Even though therapists are licensed mental health professionals, it can feel unsettling to know your child is speaking privately with an adult. As a parent myself, I understand that this can feel uncomfortable.

In Ontario, and across Canada, there is no minimum age for consent to mental health treatment. Instead, the Health Care Consent Act (1996) states that the client must be capable of understanding and appreciating the consequences of their decision. This means that, technically, therapists cannot share session details with parents unless the teen gives permission.

How I Involve Parents While Respecting Teen Privacy

While confidentiality is essential, I also value keeping parents informed and involved when possible. Throughout therapy, I encourage my teenage clients to share parts of what we discuss with their parents.

When they agree, I offer to send a summary email to parents — but only after the teen reviews and approves it. If they don’t reply to my draft, I’ll read the summary to them in person and confirm what can be shared before sending it to you. This ensures honesty and collaboration without breaking confidentiality.

Why Parent Involvement Helps Therapy Work Better

Involving parents often leads to better outcomes for teens. When parents understand what their child is working on in therapy, they can offer encouragement, recognize progress, and reinforce positive changes at home.

Sometimes, it’s helpful to have a session that includes one or both parents. This creates a shared understanding and gives everyone a clear picture of how to support the teen’s goals. Change can be gradual, but when parents and teens work together, growth happens faster.

Final Thoughts

Teen therapy is most effective when there’s trust between therapist and teen, and between family members. My goal is always to protect your child’s privacy while keeping you meaningfully involved in the process. If you’re a parent wondering how therapy confidentiality works or how you can best support your teenager, reach out to schedule a consultation. Together, we can find the right balance between privacy and support.