Frequently asked questions
and our best answersQuestion
[Youth] How much of what we talk about do you have to tell my parents?
Answer
What you tell the counsellor is private unless we hear someone is going to get hurt – then of course we have to tell someone. We will ask what you are ok with us sharing with your family. Something to think about is that counselling works better if we’re able to share at least basic things with your family (you came to the appointment, we talked about school or home, you’re doing ok). We don’t have to share details of what we talked about. We also realize that sometimes there are important reasons to keep things private.
Question
Do I have to sign anything to give the counsellor permission to speak to others?
Answer
Yes. The counsellor will use a Release of Information form. She will explain how it works, fill it out and get you to sign it.
Question
[Parent] How much am I allowed to know about what is discussed with my teenager?
Answer
Our experience is that young people need to know counselling is private in order for them to feel safe enough to benefit from it. That said, we tell them that counselling works better if we’re able to share at least basic things with parents (attendance at appointments, the topics we talked about, if they’re doing ok). Some things we can’t keep confidential: if we hear someone is going to get hurt, or if the Court orders us to release information.
Question
How much of what we discuss with the counsellor does she share with our teen?
Answer
The counsellor will only share what you are okay with. If she feels something more should be shared she will discuss that with you.
Question
How do you record information and how secure is that information?
Answer
Notes from the first visit or two are kept in a paper file locked in a filing cabinet. If sessions continue, a file is opened on our computer record keeping system. That system stores information on a server in Vancouver, BC using the same level of encryption that banks use. When counselling is finished, we keep a paper copy of the file that is stored securely until the time comes for it to be shredded.