People often have questions about mental health issues and aren’t sure how to get the answers. Here, Dr. Roger answers questions about issues that matter to you.
It is important to know that we don't do therapy here, or give medical help or specific psychological advice (e.g. should I break up with my boyfriend?).This is a forum where people can ask freely whatever question they have about mental health.
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Q:  Counsellor. I'm starting to see a counsellor soon. How much does my mom get to know about it? Will the counsellor talk to her too? There's things I don’t want her to know. I'm 17 in grade 12. I live with just my mom. - from Canada

Counsellor

A: Confidentiality is a concern for many young people in counselling. It is a bit difficult to answer your question because I do not know where you live, and I don’t know what kind of counsellor you are seeing.  

There are laws for psychologists and other regulated health professionals (e.g., physicians) about keeping health information safe and confidential.  The laws and standards of practice can be different from province to province, and may not apply to all professions. For example, psychology is a regulated health profession in Ontario, but counselling is not.

I know you were probably hoping for a simpler answer. However, there is a fairly easy way to answer your question – talk to the counsellor.

My advice to you and everyone else is this -- whenever you meet with a mental health professional (e.g., counsellor; psychologist; psychiatrist), have them review confidentiality with you at the start, before discussing anything else. Ask the counsellor if there are laws about confidentiality that he/ she must follow, and if there are any situations where he/ she would break confidentiality.

Overall, it is never a bad idea to ask as many questions as you feel necessary before getting any kind of treatment. This is part of what mental health professionals call informed consent.

Thanks for asking this important question.

Dr Roger