Parent Involvement in Teen Therapy

In Ontario, there is no set age for therapy consent. Instead, therapists assess capacity: whether a teen understands the nature, benefits, and risks of therapy. Many teens are capable of consenting by age 13. According to Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and CRPO, capable teens have the legal right to make decisions about their mental health care, including who the therapist communicates with. Therapists are legally and ethically obligated to uphold that consent, unless a safety exception applies.

I deeply value the role parents play in a teen’s growth and genuinely understand how important it is to feel informed, involved, and connected. When parent support is rooted in respect and consent, it becomes a powerful part of the teen’s healing and development. With your teen’s consent, I offer:

1. ​A complimentary 15-minute call to gather background information during times of concern.

2. A 30-minute parent consultation to provide general support and guidance

3. Joint parent-teen sessions, when appropriate and mutually agreed upon

In order to protect your teen’s emotional safety and sense of trust in therapy, I can only speak with you if they’ve given clear, informed consent. Even well-intentioned questions can touch on sensitive areas, so I always follow their lead when it comes to parent involvement.

Even general questions can feel intrusive or overwhelming to a teen, especially when therapy explores identity, relationships, or emotional pain. Respecting their privacy builds the safety needed for meaningful therapeutic work.

I welcome the opportunity to hear parent perspectives and gather information about what’s happening outside of therapy, as this insight can help guide my work with your teen. That said, I always wait to get your teen’s clear and informed consent before moving forward with any phone conversations, in order to protect the trust and safety we’re building in the therapeutic space.

If your teen provides consent, I offer the following options:

1. A complimentary 15-minute call to gather background information during times of concern.

2. A 30-minute parent consultation to provide general support and guidance

3. Joint parent-teen sessions, when appropriate and mutually agreed upon

The only time I can receive information and communicate with you without your teen’s consent is when there is a serious safety concern: such as risk of suicide, harm to others, or suspected abuse or neglect.

If you believe your teen may be in danger, you’re welcome to contact me. Please let me know that your concern is safety-related, and I will respond with care, following all legal and ethical guidelines to ensure your teen’s wellbeing is prioritized.

I understand that co-parenting can be complex, especially during times of stress or transition. At the same time, my role is to support the teen’s therapeutic process, not to mediate between households or navigate legal disputes. If your teen consents to parent involvement, all parents or guardians with legal custody must be informed of any communication or consultation taking place.

I maintain a neutral, client-centered stance and do not align with either parent. I don’t provide custody evaluations or parenting time recommendations. If concerns fall outside the scope of therapy, I may refer to mediation, legal, or family support services to ensure your family receives the most appropriate care.

Communicating without your teen’s consent, even with the best intentions, can lead to misunderstanding, erode trust, and place them in the middle of parent–therapist dynamics. This is known as triangulation, and it can make teens feel caught between adults in ways that compromise the safety of the therapeutic space. Requiring consent is not just a policy. It reflects my commitment to ethical practice, respect for your teen’s privacy, and belief in their right to make informed choices about their care.

One of the most meaningful ways to support your teen in therapy is by respecting their autonomy while staying gently available. Encourage them to share what they feel comfortable with, and honour their need for a private, confidential space. You can also ask if they’d be open to a parent consultation or a joint session, depending on what feels right for them. Some teens may also want your help in communicating with me, such as sharing difficult experiences or advocating for themselves when they don’t yet feel fully able to.

This kind of support can be incredibly meaningful when it’s offered with care, clear consent, and a respect for their comfort levels. When we work together in this way, we create a safe and collaborative team around your teen, one that strengthens their sense of agency, emotional safety, and trust.