Dear Therapist:

There is a specific issue that I have been holding in for a long time. I understand that it is something that is very serious and needs to be discussed with a therapist. The issue is that it is a very serious thing that I am worried will need to be brought to the attention of the authorities. This is something I don’t want to happen. So, I am stuck, not getting the help that I need. Obviously, I can’t be specific even in this confidential email.   Is there anything I can do?

Response:

Unfortunately, without some specific information, there is very little advice that anyone can give you. Based on the nature of your question, I will assume that you’re referring to some kind of abuse. The rest of my response will be based on this supposition.

Since I am not an attorney, I cannot give you legal advice. Generally, however, a mandated reporter like a licensed therapist is required to report abuse if there is the sense that there is a danger of further abuse. If you’re referring to something that is no longer occurring, I don’t believe that most therapists would feel the need to report the past abuse.

I would advise you to see a therapist. You wouldn’t necessarily need to discuss this issue immediately. Once you feel comfortable enough to broach the subject, you could ask what their approach would be in the situation without giving them specific information about the abuser. If you are the abuser, or the issue that you’re referring to relates to your own impulse-control issues, you could still ask general questions to get a sense of how the therapist would handle the situation. When you feel comfortable with the therapist and with the process, you would hopefully be able to get the help that you seem to so desperately need.

-Yehuda Lieberman, LCSW

  psychotherapist in private practice

 Brooklyn, NY   |   Far Rockaway, NY

 author of Self-Esteem: A Primer

 www.ylcsw.com / 718-258-5317

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