Do You Think It's Appropriate for a Therapist to Inform Her 16 Year Old Client

I would say the therapist is trying to teach the teen how to have a voice. That perhaps the parents are a big part of the problem in the kids life and the 16 year old soon to be adult and responsible for his decisions, needs to learn to make individual decisions.

If there were serious drug and rehab problems or prior convictions, or something equally off, I don't think a therapist would offer such freedom. IMHO.
GL!

He's 16 and should be involved in decisions about his own care. That said, parents and doctors should be an important part of the conversation. But no one forced into therapy against his will is going to get better. Did you actually hear the therapist say it just that way or was this reported by the 16-year-old in question? If so, talk to her and find out what was really said.

At the age of 16, the "child", who is just 2 years from being a legal adult, really has to be an active participant in his care. Unless you want to commit him, he needs to be on board, involved, and part of the care team. Legally, she may HAVE to inform him of his rights.

He also needs to trust her and know that she is working for/with HIM and not his parents. Really, that is her job. She may be preparing him for making decisions about his care - because as a legal adult, he will be making these decisions for himself. You'll need to start preparing yourselves also.

You love your kiddo and want the best for him, but he's not a baby and at this age trying to "make" him will probably backfire. He needs to know you're working with him as well, and that you understand him. The medications may make him feel crappy, etc. He needs to know you hear how he feels and can help him make adult decisions about his care, because he's going to be doing that very soon anyway.

I would think it was appropriate and accurate. I would also think the therapist had quite a lot of skill. A 16 year old should know that they can refuse therapy, medicine, and treatment. To have their rights (and choices) acknowledged by a professional would help create report and trust with the client. Report and trust are absolutely essential in a therapist/client relationship, particularly when the client is a child.

It is true, that he can choose whether or not he wants therapy, medicine, or any other medical treatment. You cannot force him to do any of it. One way to gain co-operation is to let the person know that the choice is theirs. If you are, by chance, able to insist that they go they will not benefit because they will block out whatever is said/done. And you definitely cannot force them to take medication.

When my daughter did not want to go to therapy, I went without her. She then decided to go to tell her side of the story. When she again decided she didn't want to go, I started seeing a different therapist so that I could get help to find ways to provide what she needed.

I was extremely frustrated. Her pediatrician could only tell me about her medical exams because my daughter authorized her to do so. I learned to work with the professionals in finding a way to address our issues.

If you aren't having private conversations with the therapist I urge you to do so. If the client refuses to let the therapist talk with you she cannot do so but you can talk with her. Or, you can have these open conversations with the 16 yo present. You need to find a way to work with the therapist. Withhold judgement until you know what is going on.

Unless it's a court ordered, every person can choose to continue therapy or medication. She was likely just telling him the rights he has within a conversation. We don't know the whole story, or conversation. If he refused, she can't forcibly treat him. I would think a responsible parent, would have a conversation with the therapist, before rushing to judgement.

I would not be upset.

Its the therapists job to help your son, not to make him behave. The truth is it is his choice, you cant force him to do anything. I went through more therapists than I can count, anytime they said anything my mother didnt like we switched. If he likes this doctor, I would stick with it.

Appropriate, legal, and ethical.

Since its a legal requirement, and she could lose her license if she hid that from her client, no. I wouldn't be upset.

HOWEVER lots of things are legal at such and such age, but if one wants their family's support, the have to CHOOSE to abide by familial rules.

- Driving
- Curfews
- Chores
- Counseling
- Grades
- Religious activities
- etc.

HUNDREDS of things that are legal, but disallowed in a family... Or are not illegal but law within a family.

I might be upset, because as a parent I would like to have that control. But we do not own our children's bodies and yes, most 16 year olds definitely should have a say in their healthcare decisions. I would say that it would be unethical for a physician or therapist to treat a person of that age against their will or without informed consent.

I am assuming it's Texas, but I could be wrong..... and I found this, specifically relating to Gov Perry's Gaurasil mandate, but would relate to ALL medical care....
If it's not Texas.... just google the medical treatment consent laws for the state the child is in, and it will tell you.

A child of 16 or older may be designated as the person authorized to consent to his or her own medical treatment. When a child of 16 enters care, or before the 16th birthday of a child already in care, the department is required to notify the child of his or her right to ask the court for authorization to consent to his or her own medical care. Training for the child on informed consent must be provided as part of the department’s Preparation for Adult Living program. If the trial court at any hearing relating to a child 16 or older “determines that the child has the capacity to consent to medical care,” then the child should be authorized to be his or her own medical consenter.

http://www.americanbar.org/newsletter/publications/gp_sol...

I see both sides of this. I think that the therapist should have talked with the parents privately and told them that they were going to discuss this with their child. Not to get permission but to inform them so they could talk with their kid and encourage the best choice. I also think that at 16, they are close enough in age to make that decision if they don't want to take meds or if they want to have other options. I think that making those decisions without consulting the child would cause lots of resentments and unresolved anger....which would lead to bigger problems. No one should be making decisions for this 16 year old without their consent and approval. *unless they are incapable of making those decisions*

I agree, but I would discuss it with her/him first. Often a therapist will ask a teen a question like this to get them to look at the grown ups side of it, to put them in the other person's shoes. It can backfire but it can also make a huge difference in how that teen sees the adult authority figure.

So I would make sure all the sides of it before going off on someone who may have had an ulterior motive for asking them this type of question. They also may just think you're nuts and the root of all your kids problems...

My hubby has a mental issue and his therapist had been seeing him for some time after a suicide attempt about 30 years ago. After meeting hubby's mother for about 15 minutes he came in and told hubby "I completely understand you now. Your mom is crazy." I loved her like she was my own mother and didn't see this side of her but the therapist certainly was able to get hubby back on track much quicker after meeting hubby's mom.

So if they think your teen does not need the meds or he hates them so much he wants to stop taking them then the therapist may have simply been trying to get teen to see things from a different perspective. You won't know until you ask.

Everyone has a choice when it comes right down to it. My cousin had a kidney issue where they were misshapen and he had to go do dialysis a couple of times per week. He was in his early 20's when he decided he had enough and stopped going. He died a few days later due to not having dialysis. He chose a different choice than his family, his children, or his wife would have chosen but he did make a choice.

"Hi Doc XX, teen came home from his meeting with you on XXX and he said some things I would like to clarify with you. He said you told him he can choose to take his prescribed medications or not. Could you tell me why this discussion happened?"

YES The Therapist SHOULD tell the patient their RIGHTS!!! ALL Doctors should tell their patients what their rights are.

My daughter (15) decided at age 13 to stop her ADHD medication - as much as We (her father, pediatrician/grandfather, neurologist & myself) wanted her to continue them - it is HER BODY & HER CHOICE!!!!

The decision to continue/discontinue treatment (therapy/medication) should be a fully informed and be discussed, but at the same time it is their choice and they need to know the consequences.

*I had a dear friend in HS who decided on her own - against family & doctor wishes - to stop dialysis - it was a BATTLE but she knew in her heart that she didn't want to do it anymore and understood that it meant she would die. Well she did pass with dignity - the way she wanted. Her parents finally made amends with her and listened to her with their open mind/heart and realize that it is Her Body/Her Life/Her Choice!!!!

**If there is a COURT ORDER for therapy/medication then that has to be followed.

A 16 year old can drive a lethal hunk of metal, is only 2 years away from adulthood, voting, being able to die for our country, going to college & living on their own. Maybe the therapist realizes this & thinks the 16 year old should understand his/her options & learn how to make decisions for his/herself.

I hardly consider a 16 year old a "child".

If he's not interested in and not committed to therapy, then therapy isn't going to help. And, the older teenage years are really about learning to make your own decisions and live with the consequences. A therapist who doesn't respect an older teen's wishes is no therapist at all.

When it comes to medication, as opposed to talk therapy, I would be more willing to see both sides. In most states, a parent/guardian can probably compel a minor to take medication if the results would be catastrophic otherwise. But you'd have to go through the legal system for that. I'd recommend less of a "nuclear option" -- i.e., establishing lines of communication with the kid himself -- before going down that road.

As I understand it, there are unique rules and privileges that therapists of minors operate under outside the bounds of parental control. This may be an example.

the therapist should of gave the parents a heads up about the direction she was taken, i think she was trying to give the teen some feeling of Independence or control over what was happening to him. I would give it some time and see.

Yes! My daughter had a baby when she was 16. After that, doctors treated her for anything without my knowledge or consent, but they certainly expected me to pay for it!

I feel like if they want to treat the kid without parental involvement, then they can work out the payment without parental involvement.

All of you would feel differently if you suddenly got a bill in the mail for medical treatment you didn't even know about! Suddenly you're not the person making the decisions for your child - some doctor you've never met has taken over!

If the 16 year old is considered competent and depending on state laws, then I reluctantly will say it's appropriate under certain circumstances. That's not to say I like it.

Morally, no. Not appropriate. The child's health and well-being and actions are still the responsibility of the parents.

Who is the professional? None of us should make such a decision without a lot more background information.

I would call the state licensing board and ASK if this is ok. If not, report it.
Is the therapist thinking YOU need therapy more than your child? Just wondering why he would give a child an out.