If the client is under 12 years old:
- The client needs a parent or legal guardian present to complete paperwork on his or her behalf. That person must also be present in the first counseling session to go over the paperwork with the counselor. Depending on the wishes of the parent(s)/guardian(s) and minor, the parent(s)/guardian(s) may be in future sessions or parts of sessions.
- If the minor is under 12 years old and his or her parents or legal guardians have a custody arrangement, all parties involved in custody must consent to the counseling. If any of the parties involved in custody do not consent, the counselor cannot counsel the minor due to Colorado law.
- Regardless of any custody agreements (even if one person has full custody) Colorado law requires that if both parents are alive they both need to consent to the treatment in counseling.
If the client is between ages 12 and 15:
- The client will have parent(s)/legal guardian(s) involved and signing all paperwork except in select few special circumstances.
- We believe it is best to involve parent(s) or legal guardian(s) as much as is possible and helpful.
- Throughout counseling we will keep assessing if the minor should have parent(s)/legal guardian(s) in sessions. This depends on age, presenting concerns, and helpfulness to the minor.
- Check our FAQs page for additional information that may cover more of your questions. If you can’t find an answer on our site or would like to ask a question directly, please contact us.
- Regardless of any custody agreements (even if one person has full custody) Colorado law requires that if both parents are alive they both need to consent to the treatment in counseling.
If the client is 15 through 17:
- The age of consent for mental health services in Colorado is 15, meaning if you are 15 or older you can seek counseling on your own.
- If there are potential safety concerns your parent(s)/guardian(s) may still be contacted.
- In most cases it is still a good idea to involve parent(s)/guardian(s) as much as is possible and appropriate.
If the client is 15 or older: