Counseling

x Purple Pawprints x

Hey ppl,

Just wondering do any of you know how old you have to be to get councelling without your parents consent? This isn't for me, it's for my friend. I'd appreciate replys ASAP.

Thank you.

Dermington

Jane_LS_88 wrote:

without your parents consent?

I wasnt aware there was an age of consent. I would hazard 16 maybe if there is.

Jane_LS_88 wrote:

This isn't for me, it's for my friend.

lol

The_Conductor

You need parental consent for medical procedures, to apply for a passport or to partake in certain risky activities (parachute jumping etc.) I would be very surprised if counselling required parental consent (though in most cases I would imagine that parents would fully support any child of theirs who was mature enough to recognise that they required assistance in a particular area- unless of course they were that area......)

Make sure that the counsellor is APCI (Assosciation of Professional Counsellors in Ireland) or BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy) registered.

Childline / The Samaritans and a number of other organisations are more than happy to offer counselling services over the phone- so I do not see how age could be a factor or a barrier to receiving assistance.

Best of good luck to your friend.

Sleepy

You can also reach the Samaritans by email at: jo@samaritans.org

From what I remember they offer a drop-in service in Galway at least so maybe there's something similar in Laois?

A psychiatrist would probably require parental consent to prescribe you something but regular counselling shouldn't require anything of the sort as far as I'm aware.

b3t4

AFAIK there isn't an age limit.

Your friend's only problem will be in paying for the visits.

And unfortunately it's not always the case that parents will be happy their child is attending counselling. There is still an awful lot of stigma surrounding this subject. When I was under 18 and attending couselling, my mother was very against the idea and nagged me every week about having to pay out the money. My mother is very backward in some of her thoughts. My father on the outer hand was happy to do as much as he could to help me.

A friend of mine and myself's experience of the samritans was not good so if your friend doesn't have a a good experience with them let them know that there are other options out there.

A.

theTinker

I never heard of an age limit there, but i assume it is like the doctors, they only need parents permission if they are under 16 AND need to get sum medical stuff done(serious stuff) but most problems they can keep under wraps, especially since the kid wouldnt get help otherwise.all they do is talk after all. When i was in school (age15-16) there was a councilor who any student could go see without parents permission(sum 12 year olds even went). I would think it was the same outside school enviroments

If your friend is worrying about age limits then im assuming that he might have trouble getting money together for visits, sum are costly. does his school or college provide one free of charge? I had one free of charge by my college and she told me that if i need another one after college and are not working that lots of them do sum promo work for near nothing or free

Shellie13

no age limit from what i'v heard but they would usually encourage a young person tpo tell their parents and they can't prescribe drugs (antidepressants etc) to an under 16 without parental consent.

spurious

Depending what type of school you're in, your school may be able to refer you to someone for free. I know the CDVEC have their own in-scheme psychologists as well as the standard school counsellor.

Your parents would have already sign a consent form when you entered the school - it's quite rare for someone to refuse to do so, as it covers things like aptitude tests, psychological testing, testing for reading problems etc.

Best of luck.

Odysseus

There is an age limit if its a HSE service you go to and its 18. It would be hard to find a therapist in private practice as well, the would be concerns about litigation, but it may be possible.

Victor

Can I ask what the counselling is for?

Victor

Jane_LS_88 sent me a PM explaining the situation.

Can I seriously suggest that you and your friend talk to an adult that you feel is approachable - maybe an aunt, teacher, school guidance counsellor, etc?

While the parents would appear to be under appreaciating the situation, they also don't know the full situation. They may come around once it is explained to them.

x Purple Pawprints x

Oh yeah Victor, that might be a good idea actually. I'll talk to my friend and see what she thinks. Thank you.

GretchenWieners

I think it's 17 years old maybe because to hospital without parents consent is that age!