Yes, you can tell a therapist about a crime, and they will keep most of it confidential, but they must break confidentiality if you pose an imminent threat of serious harm to yourself or others (like a specific person) or if you reveal ongoing child/vulnerable adult abuse, but past crimes (like theft last year) are generally protected, though legal exceptions exist, so always review your therapist's specific confidentiality agreement. Therapists are bound by law to report imminent danger, but they prioritize safety and usually discuss any breach with you first.
A therapist can only break confidentiality if you pose a threat of harm to self or others, if you abuse a child, elderly person, or person with a disability, or if a court orders it.
Sexual Relationships
It is never okay for a therapist to engage in a sexual relationship with a client. Not only do sexual relationships impair the professional performance, but they can also have dire emotional and psychological consequences.
What I Couldn't Tell My Therapist shares the unforgettable stories of three patients in intensive therapy. Michelle, a dedicated psychotherapist, struggles with an addiction to people-pleasing and perfectionism while being tethered to opioids by mysterious chronic pain.
Mandatory reporting laws, or mandated reporting, require therapists to report to authorities when a person is being harmed or is in danger of being harmed. While you as a therapist have an essential responsibility as a mandated reporter, the process can be challenging to navigate.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), unethical behavior by a therapist generally means: Having more than one kind of relationship with a patient: Having a sexual relationship with a patient, for example, is generally considered unethical.
Many states have statutes requiring healthcare providers, including mental health professionals, to report any suspected abuse of children, elders, and dependent adults. So, in most cases, therapists who hear admissions of such abuse from patients not only can report their patients' statements—they must.
Any request for personal favors, suggestive remarks, inappropriate physical contact, or attempts to socialize outside of the professional context are not just therapist red flags—they are definitive breaches of ethics and trust. This relationship is singular, devoted solely to your mental health.
Some clients may be familiar with the “3 C's” which is a formalized process for doing both the above techniques (Catch it, Check it, Change it). If so, practice and encourage them to apply the 3 C's to self- stigmatizing thoughts.
It is possible to overshare in therapy if what you are talking about is not relevant or useful to your growth. Here are some examples of oversharing in therapy: Unrelated tangents: When a client goes on tangents that do not relate to their own experiences or feelings. Too much time on mundane details.
The seven signs are:
According to the American Counseling Association (ACA), they define abandonment as “the inappropriate ending or arbitrary termination of a counseling relationship that puts the client at risk.” They go on to state that “counselors do not abandon or neglect clients in counseling.
Generally, there are about 12 ethical principles: honesty, fairness, leadership, accountability, integrity, compassion, respect, responsibility, loyalty, respect for the law, transparency, and environmental concerns.
When it comes to mental health, there's a helpful framework called the 5 Cs of mental health—Clarity, Connection, Coping, Control, and Compassion. These five elements play a crucial role in maintaining a healthy mindset and emotional well-being.
If a therapist talks excessively about themselves or overly discloses personal information, cannot accept constructive criticism, or refuses to discuss what the process will be like and what kind of progress can reasonably be expected, they are likely not the best choice for most clients.
There are a few specific and clear instances when therapists are required to report personal information about their clients: If the client poses a danger to themselves or others. If the therapist suspects the abuse of a child or an elderly or otherwise dependent adult. If they are legally forced to by court order.
One small but powerful CBT strategy is the Five-Minute Rule, designed to combat procrastination and avoidance. The idea is simple: set a timer for five minutes and commit to a task you've been avoiding. When the timer ends, you can stop—guilt-free. Ironically, once you start, you often find the momentum to continue.
Or, counsellors can be registered with the Canada-wide association and have a 'CCC' (Canadian Certified Counsellor) designation. Social Workers can provide counselling too and have a 'MSW' (Master of Social Work) designation. Some mental health professionals have more than one designation.
The 2-year rule is APA's way of acknowledging that life holds few absolutes; many continua need to be considered. Thus, the Ethics Code includes an absolute prohibition against sex with former clients for a period of two years following termination.
Five common signs of poor mental health include persistent sadness or extreme mood swings, withdrawing from friends and activities, significant changes in sleep or appetite, difficulty concentrating or coping with daily life, and neglecting personal hygiene or having unusual thoughts like paranoia or hallucinations. Recognizing these changes in yourself or others, especially when they're prolonged or interfere with daily functioning, signals a need for support.
They blur professional boundaries in other ways by asking you to socialize outside of therapy or by trying to get you to do them favors. They lead with their egos and get controlling, defensive, or possessive when you tell them you want to change or end therapy. They won't accept criticism or adjust their approach.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Harm (NSW Law) – All practitioners at Therapeutic Axis are mandatory reporters under NSW law. We are required to report when we have reasonable grounds to suspect a child (under 16) is at Risk of Significant Harm (ROSH). This is a legal obligation that supersedes confidentiality.
If you're serving a prison sentence, the prison can send you to hospital for treatment under section 47 of the Mental Health Act. You can only be given a section 47 after you've been convicted of an offence and sent to prison. Before that, you can be transferred to hospital under section 48.
Because therapy is such a personal thing, what you tell a therapist must remain confidential. This includes things like affairs, past crimes, and "bad behavior" that isn't necessarily criminal behavior. You can talk to a therapist about how you were abused in the past, and they will not share that information.