How does confidentiality work with minors?

Clients under 18 years of age who are not emancipated and their parents should be aware that the law allows parents to examine their child's treatment records unless we believe that doing so would endanger the child or we agree otherwise. Because privacy in counseling is often crucial to successful progress, particularly with teenagers, it is our policy to request an agreement from parents that they consent to give up their access to their child's records. If they agree, during treatment, we will provide them only with general information about the progress of the child's treatment and their attendance at scheduled sessions. Any other communication will require the child's authorization, unless we feel that the child is in danger or is a danger to someone else. In that case, we will notify the parents of our concern. Before giving parents any information, we will discuss the matter with the child, if possible, and do our best to handle any objections they may have.