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A 15 year-old male is experiencing confusion about his sexual orientation, and wants to see the school psychologist for counseling on the condition that his parents are not notified that he is being seen for counseling (From study of ethical dilemmas, Jacob-Timm, 1999).Should the school psychologist agree to provide the requested counseling service without notifying the student’s parents?
What is YES. Although it is unethical to provide counseling without informed consent for a minor, the school psychologist believes that, given the student’s age, he is capable of making a sound decision to request psychological services. The school psychologist also considers the rights of the parents to be informed and to give consent for their son to receive services, but knows that, given what is known about sexual minority youth, failure to respond to the student’s request may place the student at risk for harm (i.e., sexual minority youth are at greater risk for substance abuse problems, depression, self-injury, etc.). The school psychologist also knows that the student’s sexual orientation shouldn’t be disclosed to others without the student’s permission. ____________________________________________________ Ultimately, the school psychologist decides on the following course of action: Agree to see the student on a preliminary basis without parental consent in order to assess the student’s emotional status and needs, the family and home circumstances (i.e., what reaction might be expected from the parents?), and to explore with the student ways in which the school psychologist and student can include the parents in the decision about whether to continue counseling services. (The school psychologist would need to explain to the student the legal requirement to obtain parental consent for services.) If the student is adamantly opposed to including his parents in the process despite the school psychologist’s plan to provide support, especially if the school psychologist is convinced that the student’s fears about his parents’ reaction are well-founded, then the school psychologist should consider referring the student to supportive resources outside of the school setting.