can what you tell a therapist get someone arrested?

[ncccc2]

if i told my therapist about child abuse during my childhood, would they involve the police?

Not without your permission. If you told then about abuse that was still happening, or if you disclosed an intent to abuse, that would be different.

If they are still out there working with vulnerable people and you give their name they'd refer it to safeguarding.

they aren't working with anyone vulnerable. if i was under 18, would this change things?

If you disclose a name or enough information to identify then yes as have a duty to report to protect other people going forward, BUT you could discuss it with them without giving identifying details. Explain to them what you are are wondering about and they will run through the policy with you. Good luck x

but they haven't done anything physically for years.

thank you.

If the person is still alive and could have access to children/vulnerable people, either professionally or personally, they would as a minimum discuss it with their safeguarding leads who would likely advise a safeguarding referral is made.
If you didn't share the persons details that makes a referral more difficult but for eg it's your dad, it likely wouldn't take a diligent social worker long to track that person. If you or they have moved around a lot it would be harder to join the dots.
I'm not going to judge you for not wanting that to happen as you are not responsible for any subsequent abuse that person may have committed.
In my experience, some people make disclosures to a professional because deep down they know that professional has to act on it but they aren't directly reporting themselves.
I hope you can work out what is best and safest for you and can find some kind of peace with your experiences.

Just seen your update. If you are under 18 the therapist couldn't give you any confidentiality I'm afraid. They would be in serious trouble if they offered you absolute confidentiality

oh okay, thank you :).

Just to clarify, the referral would go to social care but the police (specialist officers) would be involved in multi agency discussions about the referral

thank you for the detailed answer : ).

If there is still a risk then yes. I told my therapist and he had to involve the police as the person was in a job that meant he had access to children. If there is no current risk then no.

Unless you are 16 or under then you would have no guarantee of keeping it confidential.

I hope the link below works.
See the info under the question "Should I disclose my experience of abuse and if yes to whom". It covers this issue and might help you. You could also call NAPAC anonymously and they will help you think it through before you discuss with a therapist.

napac.org.uk/common-concerns/

😬 I've just read this.
I recently disclosed something to NHS therapist. I had no idea they were allowed to do this.
She didn't say anything about telling anyone else. Does this mean she won't? Or can she do it without letting me know?
I'd really like to know as I am now very worried.
So what I told her relates to someone who still likely has access to vulnerable women via his work and is in a position of authority.
Does this mean she has to disclose?
And does she inform me first or effectively it's done behind my back?
I saw this thread yesterday and I've not been able to sleep. The person in question would easily be able to locate me if it was reported. I'm so so worried.
Any advice? 🥺

@thesootherfairy

😬 I've just read this. I recently disclosed something to NHS therapist. I had no idea they were allowed to do this. She didn't say anything about telling anyone else. Does this mean she won't? Or can she do it without letting me know? I'd really like to know as I am now very worried. So what I told her relates to someone who still likely has access to vulnerable women via his work and is in a position of authority. Does this mean she has to disclose? And does she inform me first or effectively it's done behind my back? I saw this thread yesterday and I've not been able to sleep. The person in question would easily be able to locate me if it was reported. I'm so so worried. Any advice? 🥺

Yes she is obliged to share with social care. However, if she is doing her job properly she should inform you and support you with any feelings this stirs in you.

Sorry pressed post too soon. She really needs to keep you informed and if there is a risk to you because this information is shared please ask to speak to the police officer in the MASH (multi agency safeguarding hub) about how they will protect you from further harm.

@thesootherfairy
This hasn’t been the case at all with me - I’ve discussed past experiences with my NHS therapist and she said that as long as I don’t give details eg. Their name, address, then she won’t and can’t report anything. I’ve also said this person is not a risk any more due to their age. That was 2 years ago and we are still discussing weekly at sessions. Can you ask your therapist about this at your next session? I’m sure she would speak to you first if she had to report.

@grandpacificpineapple and @Star8181
Thank you both.

The worry for me is that it is someone in medical profession and I wouldn't need to give a name because I gave dates (year) and it would be in my medical records. And as I said someone with access to the vulnerable in position of authority and still working.

Do you think she would report without taking to me first?

I'm not keen on bringing it up again in case she decides to get me involved in reporting it.

@thesootherfairy I can understand your worry, I would be the same. So difficult. I am positive she would speak to you first about having to report it. She didn’t say anything at the time?
Maybe someone else with more knowledge will help, but I can only tell you my experience.

@Star8181 no she didn't say anything about reporting it. She scribbled lots and lots.

Really wishing I hadn't said anything.

I’m a psychotherapist and it depends who you are accredited to. I’m with UKCP and BACP and we definitely don’t have to inform anyone.

@jendifer thank you 😊
It's a clinical psychologist who works for NHS. I've no idea if she has accreditations.

I disclosed something but I would never say the name and it was never forced. I was not willing to let it be reported without me being in control.

Clinical psychologist definitely isn’t a therapist and comes under different guidance - they don’t need supervison and their own therapist as they primarily are there for interventions and diagnosis. They are more likely to disclose because they don’t have the same relationship basis.