Confidentiality and Privacy: Parents and Children

Understanding confidentiality is key to supporting your child through counselling. It plays a vital role in creating a safe, trusting environment where children can express themselves and receive meaningful support. This article explains why confidentiality matters, how it works, and what parents can expect throughout the process.

Why Confidentiality Matters in Counselling

Confidentiality is the foundation of effective counselling for children. When children know their privacy is respected, they are more likely to speak openly about their thoughts and emotions. This trust helps build a strong therapeutic relationship and allows for genuine personal growth.

Encouraging Honest Communication

Children often worry about how others—especially adults—will react to what they share. Confidentiality gives them reassurance that their voice will be heard and respected without judgment or immediate consequences. This openness enables therapists to better understand their needs and offer the right support.

Supporting Boundaries and Autonomy

Respecting a child’s confidentiality also means giving them a sense of control over their personal information. Children can decide what they want to share and when they feel ready. This autonomy is especially important for children who have experienced trauma or struggle to trust others.

Understanding the Limits of Confidentiality

While confidentiality is essential, there are some exceptions. Therapists are legally and ethically required to break confidentiality in specific circumstances, such as:

• If there is an immediate risk of harm to the child or others
• If there are concerns about abuse or neglect
• If information is required by law or court order

In these cases, therapists will act with care and always prioritise the child’s safety.

Working Together with Parents

Parents are important partners in the counselling process. Therapists will always explain the boundaries of confidentiality during the informed consent process. This includes discussing what will and won’t be shared, and under what conditions, so that everyone is on the same page from the beginning.

A Collaborative, Child-Centred Approach

Confidentiality doesn’t mean keeping parents out of the loop. Therapists often involve parents in ways that support the child’s progress, such as discussing general themes, behavioural observations, or strategies that can help at home. The goal is to strike a balance between respecting the child’s privacy and ensuring they have support across settings.

In summary: Confidentiality helps children feel safe, heard, and respected in therapy. It promotes honesty, builds trust, and supports positive change. As a parent, your understanding and support of confidentiality will help create a space where your child feels free to grow, learn, and thrive.