Good question. In a nutshell, if you are under the age of 12 you must have parental consent to receive counseling services. If you are between the ages of 12-17 years old you can receive up to 8, 90 minute counseling sessions before parental consent is legally required. The minor’s parents shall not be informed without the consent of the minor unless the facility director believes such disclosure is necessary. See below for the Illinois Consent and Confidentiality Law regarding minors.
(405 ILCS 5/Ch. III Art. V-A heading)
ARTICLE V-A. RIGHT OF MINORS TO CONSENT TO COUNSELING SERVICES OR PSYCHOTHERAPY ON AN OUTPATIENT BASIS
(Source: P.A. 100-614, eff. 7-20-18.)
(405 ILCS 5/3-5A-105)
Sec. 3-5A-105. Minors 12 years of age or older request to receive counseling services or psychotherapy on an outpatient basis.
(a) Any minor 12 years of age or older may request and receive counseling services or psychotherapy on an outpatient basis. The consent of the minor’s parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis shall not be necessary to authorize outpatient counseling services or psychotherapy. However, until the consent of the minor’s parent, guardian, or person in loco parentis has been obtained, outpatient counseling services or psychotherapy provided to a minor under the age of 17 shall be initially limited to not more than 8 90-minute sessions.