How to talk to a therapist without your parents knowing?

If you can afford it with your money, make an appointment when they are not home. Or say you are going out with gf or bf, or just friend and go to the therapy. Also, during this pandemic many therapist offer online therapy via skype, zoom etc. maybe you should give it a try? But if you don't have money for it, I think it would be the best to honestly talk with them and tell that you think you need therapy. If you don't feel like talking about it just say you will talk with them after it. Quid pro quo. I don't think that you should go and find a job to afford it yourself, it will just delay your problems especially now when you decided to go and find help. But if financial situation of you and your family cannot support your needs, and you cannot ask anyone to lend you some money, you will need to work few weeks :)

Seek help through your school guidance counselor. There are many resources in the community to assist, where you can anonymously talk with someone. Boys Town crisis helpline is a great resource and they can also provide additional resources. Ask your therapist not to communicate to parents for patient confidentiality purposes. It's okay to seek therapy without other people knowing including your parents. Therapy is life changing for so many and beneficial to mental health. Don't tell your parents, only telling others you feel comfortable doing so with. Utilize after school programs, school counselors.

If you are under 18 it is really hard to go to therapy without your parents knowing because they need your consent. However, many schools have counselors who you can talk to without the parents knowing. Alternatively, the therapist can talk to your parents at the beginning to try and convince them that this is what is best for you. When I went to therapy as a minor, my mom initially consented but did not know how often I went or what I spoke about in therapy. Therapists should not tell your parents what you speak about in therapy unless you are at risk or there is an instance of child abuse.

There is an online therapist resource available here through 7cups (https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1) but there is also a range of other options that can be more private and easier to access without your parents knowing: phone hotlines, text therapy, etc. A quick google search for "mental health hotline" or "text therapy" will show results in your area. Please just remember: If you are not talking on a private site with a registered therapist, protect your private information. Don’t offer your physical address or offer other details that may compromise your safety. Although the majority of people online are safe, there are some who would take advantage of vulnerable people. Practice proper online safety to protect yourself.

In most places, there is a certain age where you can see a therapist without knowledge or consent from an adult. I was able, at 17, to see a therapist for my depression without consent or knowledge from either of my parents. My advice would be to check your local laws and, if you find out you can, reach out to a therapist and tell them that you would like help without consent from an adult. It can be really nerve-wracking to reach out in this manner but most therapists understand and are more than happy to help you out.

It can be hard to reach out to a therapist especially if you are not comfortable talking about it with your parents. There are websites and phone numbers available online for individuals to find therapists. There are even resources here on 7cups that you can use to find a therapist. either a therapist with 7cups themselves or to get a referral to someone else. Legally, a therapist is not allowed to share any of your information with anyone, including your parents, without permission. Therapy should be a tool for you to use without hesitation. Even if your parents are supportive, sometimes it is easier to talk with someone else.

Look for alternatives to professional therapy. You can make an appointment with your school counselor. Or talk to any adult you trust, like a teacher, school nurse, or coach. Just remember that if you tell these people that you are being abused or that you are making plans to commit suicide, they may be required by law to pass that information on to authorities. Try some self-care. There are lots of things you can do on your own to improve your mental health. Simple things like writing in a journal or spending more time outside can help you feel better. Do things that make you feel good about yourself. Spend time with friends and other people you trust. Learn to pay attention to your thoughts—try to reframe your negative thoughts and learn to see yourself more positively. It’s easier said than done, but even just making the attempt can help you start to feel better.

As a teen, I've actually wondered the same exact thing. Talking to your parents about your mental health can be frightening, especially if you're uncertain about how they'll react. One option is to talk to school guidance counselors if possible because they are typically qualified to give mental health support to students. If they can't help you with therapy, they can usually refer you to professionals who can. In certain states/countries, minors are allowed to consult a therapist under very specific conditions without their parents knowing, but it may cost money, which makes it difficult. Therefore, it is a lot easier to talk to a therapist with parental permission and financial support. Personally, I was afraid at first to tell my parents that I wanted a therapist, so I relied on 7 cups and guidance counselors to provide support until I was ready to tell my parents. However, you are the expert on you so the choice is yours as it really differs from person to person! I hope things will work out for you, and please feel free to reach out if you need anything else or more resources from 7 cups to aid in making your decision!

Therapists are bound by an ethical code to keep everything you say confidential unless you are of harm to yourself or others. Seeking a therapist can often be the most difficult part, however if you go it on your own, this can be the easiest way to make sure that your decisions are your own and that those you don't want to find out you're going won't. Anything that you say in therapy too will be kept private between you and your therapist and they cannot tell your parents or anybody around you that you're there or what you're telling them. The only time they are ever allowed to break confidentiality is when you are expressing that you are of immediate harm to yourself or someone else, and in that case, they have a duty to warn.

Well, there are many online therapists that can help you. And even this platform, 7 cups, have pretty good listeners who can talk and solve your issues just like a therapist. Otherwise, if you feel like you need professional therapists, then you should search online for it. But I will suggest you to first try talking to people here. Because therapists are pretty professional and a big deal. Here, you can meet people who have been through it and can solve your problem with experience. Do try it here! Stay happy and don't stress so much! And if you feel, then you may talk to me too.