Should teenagers be able to seek psychological help independently?
After the age of 14, Ukrainian teenagers gain significantly more autonomy in legal and medical matters. In particular, the law allows them, in certain cases, to independently consent to medical and psychiatric care.
Psychological counseling is not as straightforward. For teenagers aged 14–17, the law does not provide such a clear right to seek help from a psychologist without the consent of parents or another legal representative.
This situation becomes particularly complicated when the family itself is part of the problem. A teenager may avoid talking to their parents due to constant conflicts, fear of judgment, domestic violence, or simply because adults do not take their experiences seriously.
That is why the idea of clearly establishing the right of teenagers aged 14 and older to independently seek psychological help is increasingly being discussed. We asked practicing psychologists whether they support such a change and what consequences it might entail.
In this discussion: 0 specialist answers.
Discussion questions
- Do you support the right of teenagers aged 14 and older to independently seek help from a psychologist without prior parental consent? Why?
- 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?
- Does parental involvement benefit the psychological work with a teenager? When might it be helpful, and when could it hinder or pose a risk to the child?
- 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?
- 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?
- What safeguards, in your opinion, are necessary if teenagers aged 14 and older are allowed to independently seek help from a psychologist?
A poll related to this topic has been running among psychologists since 14.09.2026 and is scheduled to close on 14.11.2026.
Registered psychologists can take part. Results are published after at least 2 psychologists have expressed their views.
Should the law explicitly guarantee teenagers aged 14 and older the right to independently consult a psychologist without prior parental consent?
Must parents be notified about the simple fact of a teenager consulting a psychologist (without the details of the conversation) — in the absence of a crisis situation?
At what age, in your opinion, should a minor have the right to seek psychological help independently?
What do you consider the greatest risk in the current system?
Question 1
Do you support the right of teenagers aged 14 and older to independently seek help from a psychologist without prior parental consent? Why?
Question 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?
Question 3
Does parental involvement benefit the psychological work with a teenager? When might it be helpful, and when could it hinder or pose a risk to the child?
Question 4
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?
Question 5
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?
Question 6
