What Will My Therapist Do if I Tell Her I Smoke Weed and I Am Under 18?

Understanding the Legal and Ethical Landscape

When considering seeing a psychotherapist as a teenager, especially if you use cannabis, there are several factors to keep in mind. These include both the legal and ethical standards followed by therapists. Depending on the state you reside in, your age, and the specific circumstances of your cannabis use, a therapist's actions and reactions can vary significantly.

It's important to note that therapists are bound by a code of ethics, such as the APA (American Psychological Association), which emphasizes the importance of maintaining confidentiality. However, this doesn't mean that a therapist won't ask questions or explore the implications of your cannabis use. They might be more interested in understanding your patterns of use and how it impacts your mental and physical health.

The Therapist's Perspective

If you were a 14-year-old and revealed your cannabis use, a therapist would likely be concerned about the potential impact on your health, development, and well-being. They might:

Ask about the frequency and frequency of your use. Assess whether you are using cannabis to self-medicate, which is a common practice among individuals with mental health disorders. Check if you are using cannabis while driving. Address any mental health concerns, such as the risk of developing panic attacks or panic disorder. Discuss whether cannabis use causes dysfunction in your daily life or relationships.

Advice from the Therapist

Regardless of your age, a therapist will likely give you advice rather than reporting you to your parents. This advice will be rooted in the well-being of the patient and may include:

Informing you that cannabis can be detrimental to your health, particularly your lungs and developing brain. Explaining that cannabis can impact motivation and lead to a lack of engagement with other important activities.

Therapists prioritizing the confidentiality of their patients, so they won't report your use to your parents unless it poses a significant risk to you or others. If you believe your parents need to be aware of your use, you might consider signing a confidentiality agreement with both your parents and therapist, outlining the conditions under which information can be shared.

Ultimately, the decision to inform your parents or keep your use confidential rests largely on your comfort level and the nature of your relationship with your parents. Choosing to speak to your parents might lead to a supportive conversation, while keeping it a secret could prevent any potential conflict but may also hinder your ability to get professional support when necessary.

Two Situations Where Disclosure May Be Mandatory

There are only two situations where a therapist would be legally or ethically obligated to disclose information about a patient under 18:

The patient poses a danger to themselves or others. The patient's parents have explicitly asked about a specific issue during the therapy session.

Given these conditions, the likelihood of your parents finding out about your cannabis use is low unless they proactively request the information. However, it's always best to be as open and honest as possible during therapy sessions, as it can lead to more effective treatment and support.