Is Therapy Confidential? What to Know Before Your First Session
By Growth Era Counseling & Wellness
One of the most common questions we hear from new clients is: “Is what I say in therapy private?”
It’s a valid concern — and an important one. Starting therapy requires vulnerability, and it’s natural to wonder what happens to the personal things you share. Whether you’re navigating anxiety, trauma, identity questions, or simply looking for support, you want to feel safe.
At Growth Era Counseling & Wellness, we believe trust is the foundation of healing. So let’s walk through the truth about confidentiality in therapy — when it applies, what the limits are, and how you can protect your emotional privacy.
What Does Confidentiality in Therapy Mean?
In short: therapy is confidential by law and ethics.
This means that:
What you say in therapy stays between you and your therapist
Your therapist cannot share your information with anyone — not your partner, employer, or family — without your written permission
Your records are protected under strict privacy laws (like HIPAA)
The goal of confidentiality is to create a safe space where you can speak freely, without fear of judgment, punishment, or exposure.
When Your Therapist Must Break Confidentiality
While almost everything you say is protected, there are a few important exceptions. Therapists are legally and ethically required to break confidentiality only in certain situations, including:
1. If you’re at immediate risk of harming yourself
If you express serious suicidal thoughts and your therapist believes you're at imminent risk, they may need to contact emergency services or a trusted support person to help keep you safe.
2. If you threaten serious harm to someone else
Therapists have a “duty to warn and protect.” If there’s a credible, specific threat to another person’s safety, your therapist may need to contact authorities or the intended target.
3. If there’s suspicion of abuse or neglect
Therapists are mandated reporters. If they believe a child, elderly adult, or vulnerable person is being abused or neglected, they must report it to the appropriate authorities.
4. If required by a court order
In rare legal cases, a judge may order a therapist to release records or testify. Your therapist will always inform you if this is happening.
How Confidentiality Works with Insurance and Documentation
If you use insurance for therapy, your provider may require your therapist to share basic information, such as:
A mental health diagnosis
Number of sessions
Treatment plan progress
At Growth Era Counseling & Wellness, we take your privacy seriously and only share the minimum necessary information required by insurance — and only with your consent.
We also maintain secure, HIPAA-compliant electronic records to protect your information.
Your Right to Ask Questions About Privacy
Not sure if something will stay private? You’re allowed to ask.
Questions like:
“What if I talk about past trauma — does that stay between us?”
“Do you take notes, and can I see them?”
“What would happen if I talked about self-harm?”
A good therapist will always walk you through confidentiality upfront — and revisit it if questions come up later. You deserve to understand where your information goes and who (if anyone) might have access to it.
At Growth Era Counseling & Wellness, Trust Is Sacred
We know how much courage it takes to speak your truth out loud. That’s why our therapists create spaces rooted in compassion, safety, and respect — where your story is yours to share, and your privacy is honored.
Whether you're exploring therapy for the first time or returning after a break, we want you to feel empowered, informed, and in control of your healing journey.
Therapy is a space for your truth — and your truth is safe here.
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