Information Sheet

Children and Therapy

Children often benefit from having a therapeutic space in which they can speak, play, reflect, express themselves freely, learn about their emotions, and develop skills for managing and recovering from difficult feelings, challenges, and life experiences. For therapy to be effective, children generally require an appropriate degree of privacy and trust in their relationship with the therapist.

At the same time, parents and carers play an important role in supporting their child's wellbeing and are often active participants in the therapeutic process.

Balancing Children's Privacy and Parental Involvement

Registered counsellors and therapists are required to balance a number of responsibilities, including:

• •supporting the wellbeing and best interests of children;
• •recognising the important role of parents and carers;
• •respecting children's developing capacity, maturity, and participation in decisions affecting them;
• •maintaining appropriate confidentiality;
• •promoting safety and wellbeing.

As children mature, increasing consideration may be given to their views, wishes, privacy, and capacity to participate in decisions relating to therapy.

Information Sharing

Adelaide Narrative Therapy Collective generally encourages transparent communication with parents and carers while also protecting the therapeutic relationship with the child.

Information may be shared with parents regarding:

• •attendance and participation;
• •therapeutic goals and progress;
• •recommendations relating to wellbeing, safety, or the therapeutic process;
• •significant concerns affecting the child.

Detailed disclosures made by a child during therapy will not ordinarily be shared unless:

• •the child consents;
• •there is a concern regarding safety or wellbeing;
• •there is a risk of harm to the child or another person;
• •mandatory reporting obligations arise;
• •disclosure is required by law, subpoena, or Court Order.

Professional and Ethical Responsibilities

Adelaide Narrative Therapy Collective practitioners are guided by professional ethical standards, relevant legislation, child protection obligations, and recognised information-sharing frameworks that promote the safety and wellbeing of children.

The primary consideration in these decisions is the wellbeing, safety, and therapeutic needs of the child, while recognising the important role of parents and carers in supporting children and family relationships.

Questions

If parents have questions regarding confidentiality, information sharing, parental involvement, children's participation in therapy, or the reunification process, these matters can be discussed with the therapist before or during the course of therapy.