Effects of Client Confidentiality on Adolescents’ Willingness to Attend Therapy

Abstract

Adolescent mental health disorders are very prevalent and have a direct impact on their daily lives. Previous research has identified the importance of client confidentiality and adolescents’ lack of willingness to attend therapy, but they have not been directly compared. This absence of this correlation led this research to question: To what extent does the lack of client confidentiality lead high school students to abstain from receiving necessary psychotherapy treatment? In conducting this research, a survey was sent to high schoolers and an interview with a practicing therapist was conducted. The information gathered was then analyzed using the correlational and descriptive methods. It was established that there was a positive correlation between the two variables and that an increase in the promise of client confidentiality for high schoolers would lead to an increased willingness to attend therapy. The results of this study could be applied by therapists to make therapy more appealing and welcoming to adolescents, allowing them to have an outlet to share their struggles and receive professional help.