Table of Contents
Can your therapist call the police on you?
If you are actively engaged in crime or plan to commit a crime that you disclose to your therapist or counselor, they may need to report that to the police. The confidentiality between you and your therapist is important, and it can only be overridden to protect someone else’s safety.
What is a mental health welfare check?
When conducting safe and well checks (also referred to as welfare checks) on people who are vulnerable, the police are required to locate people at risk of harm and seek to manage any safeguarding risks. Sometimes these risks arise from mental vulnerability.
Can a police officer seek the services of a therapist?
Article for all police officers about protecting their rights should they seek the services of a therapist on their own or be ordered by their department. GFW PTSD Home | Site Map | Site Search
Can a therapist be forced to report a patient who threatens someone?
A therapist may be forced to report information disclosed by the patient if a patient reveals their intent to harm someone else. However, this is not as simple as a patient saying simply they “would like to kill someone,” according to Jessica Nicolosi, a clinical psychologist in Rockland County, New York.
Can a client withhold information from a therapist?
“Clients should not withhold anything from their therapist, because the therapist is only obligated to report situations in which they feel that another individual, whether it be the client or someone else, is at risk,” said Sophia Reed, a nationally certified counselor and transformation coach. Most situations will stay under wraps.
When should a therapist report a situation to protective services?
Cinéas said a therapist may have to step in and report a situation when vulnerable people are threatened, which could include children, elderly individuals and those living with a disability. “A clear case of abuse of any of the above should be reported to protective services,” she said.