Should teenagers be able to seek psychological help independently?

Discussion questions

1. Do you support the right of teenagers aged 14 and older to independently seek help from a psychologist without prior parental consent? Why?
2. Have you encountered situations in your practice where a teenager needed help but obtaining parental consent was difficult or impossible? How did this affect your ability to provide assistance?
3. In your opinion, in which cases should a psychologist have the right to begin working with a teenager without prior parental consent? Does the reason for seeking help matter?
4. Where should the boundary of confidentiality lie when working with a minor? In what situations should a psychologist inform parents or other adults, even if the teenager does not want this?
5. Does parental involvement always benefit the psychological work with a teenager? When might it be helpful, and when could it hinder or pose a risk to the child?
6. What safeguards, in your opinion, are necessary if teenagers aged 14 and older are allowed to independently seek help from a psychologist?