What’s Confidential and What’s a Secret? Navigating “No Secrets” Policies

Curt and Katie chat about no secret policies. We look at what they are, what needs to be in these policies, how to navigate secrets in therapy, the importance of these policies in relational therapy, and the complexity of “no secrets” when working with kids and teens.

Transcripts for this episode will be available at mtsgpodcast.com!

In this podcast episode we talk about no secrets policies in therapy

In our continuing efforts to touch on all the topics that therapists need to know about, we decided to dig deeply on no secrets policies.

What is a no secrets policy?

·      Typically, these types of policies are created for relational therapy

·      “No secrets” means that the therapist will not keep a secret that is clinically relevant from a member of the treatment unit, even when someone contacts the therapist outside of session

·      This policy needs to be understood by all the members of the treatment unit

How can therapists navigate secrets in therapy?

·      If there is communication outside of therapy, it is important to hold the boundaries within your no secrets policy

·      Flexibility related to when and how secrets are shared (versus rigidity and immediacy)

·      Explicit discussion around exceptions of the “no secrets” policy related to intimate partner violence

·      It is important to have a clinical evaluation of when and how the secret is shared into the treatment unit and whether the secret is clinically relevant to the treatment unit

·      Clarify the treatment unit and clinical orientation to sort through what needs to be in your secrets policy

·      Determining how not to be triangulated by members of the couple or family

What needs to be in a therapist’s secrets policy?

·      Clear guidance on who is included in the treatment unit

·      What secrets will be kept or not kept (e.g., intimate partner violence)

·      How secrets will be handled as they come up

·      Assessment of the capacity of each member of the treatment unit to participate in these conversations about confidentiality and secrets

What about no secrets when you’re working with kids and teens?

·      Clarity on the treatment unit (individual kid or family, etc.)

·      Identifying how confidentiality is held for kids and teens

·      Working with the kids and teens to plan for disclosure to caregivers

·      For parents of young/school-aged children, there may be work to help caregivers to disclose information appropriately over time (thus the therapist holds the secret for a period of time)

Stay in Touch with Curt, Katie, and the whole Therapy Reimagined #TherapyMovement:

Our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/therapyreimagined

Modern Therapist’s Survival Guide Creative Credits:

Voice Over by DW McCann https://www.facebook.com/McCannDW/

Music by Crystal Grooms Mangano https://groomsymusic.com/