Family Therapy in New Jersey.

It’s hard when your child or teen comes to you with problems or concerns that you may not have noticed. You blame yourself. You feel guilt and shame, and the “what could I have done better?”  The question comes more than often.

IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT.

Your child or teen is not facing depression, anxiety, identity issues, or being bullied because of something you did. They are facing these things as a result of the world they are living in and they need you to be understanding.

Consent and Privacy for Children/Adolescents

When working with children and adolescents, I protect their confidentiality as much as possible by HIPPA Law. Children/adolescents are told upfront that their information will be kept between the client and the therapist unless they have thoughts of harming themselves or others, and/or if they report any suspected abuse or neglect.

Your involvement in your child’s treatment is significant to their growth and change. If you have progress or concerns about your child’s treatment, I recommend you to email me prior to my session with them and follow up with me afterward. I respond to parent emails after my next session with the child, so I can make sure to get everyone’s point of view. If your concerns are better for a phone conversation,  reach out to me via email and request a time to talk on the phone. In the case of immediate threats of harm, I will notify you immediately and follow a crisis plan.

Confidentiality for teens who are turning 18 during their time with me gets a little tricky. HIPAA states that I am required to treat these individuals as adults. So without a written release of information from them for you, I am unable to give you any information about their treatment. I ask that all teens who are turning 18 sign a Release of Information (ROI) for their parents, especially if they are still living with their parents or parents are still financially responsible. How this is handled between you and your child is up to you. I am happy to answer any questions you have regarding this situation.

I look forward to working with you to help your child feel better.