Parent Guide: Counseling Services for Minor Age 13+

What you need to know:

In the state of Washington, adolescents are able to consent to therapy beginning at age 13 without requiring consent of their parents. This also means that their confidentiality is legally guaranteed, and as such I cannot officially communicate without unless a release of information form has been completed.

What does this mean for registering/completing intake forms?

As the parent, you will need to sign and agree to payment terms as you are legally financially responsible, but all other consents need to be signed by your teenager. Additionally, it will require a release of information to be signed by your teenager to you. See below for specific forms and guidance.

What does this mean for confidentiality and parent involvement/communication?

My goal is always to have parents as involved as is helpful. This is purposefully vague, but please understand my goal is not to exclude parents in any way from the treatment process. What it means is that the level of parental involvement will inherently vary from case to case, and that my goal will be to support needed communication and addressing any concerns within the parent-teen relationship (with the consent of your teen) that help us to reach the treatment goals established.

I am happy to discuss further, but please recognize that your goals and that of your teenager may not be the same, and there may be aspects they do not wish you share with you.

What you as the parent need to complete and sign:

1. Credit Card Authorization

2. Credit Card Information

3. Demographics Form

4. Third Party Financial Responsibility Form

What your teenager needs to complete and sign:

You are encouraged to review these forms with your teen and support them in understanding them.

1. Consent for Telehealth Consultation

2. Informed Consent for Psychotherapy

3. Notice of Privacy Practices

4. Practice Policies

5. Release of Information*

*The release of information should include parent(s) name(s) and be signed by your teen, otherwise it will not be valid.

Other important aspects:

• Depending on your first mode of contact, I may only have contact information for you - and depending on the age and independence of your teen, they may want to receive appointment notifications and reminders. The system is set up such that access to the account and portal may be granted to both the client and the parent/caregiver. Please be sure to verify that contact information is as desired for your situation. For example, if your teenager is young and would prefer all notifications and communication go to you, then please enter your contact information as theirs. Remember, this can only occur when the release of information form has been correctly completed as above.

• Gender/Sex - regardless of your teenager’s preferred or identified gender, health insurance requires an identified sex be stated, and this must match what is on their health insurance records. I recognize that this can be a painful or difficult point, and I am happy to discuss as needed. However, leaving the “prefer not to say” will not work unless you are paying for services out of pocket.