Can a Teen Get Therapy Without Parent Consent in Colorado?

Why Colorado changed the rule

Teenagers sometimes hold back from asking for help because they feel embarrassed or worried about how a parent will react. When the Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill 19-1120 in 2019, it said young people often avoid outpatient therapy for exactly this reason, and it set out to give youth 12 and older legal access to outpatient psychotherapy that might otherwise be out of reach.

The law did not aim to cut parents out. Its declaration says therapists would also have the chance to help young people build healthy connections with their parents or guardians. This article summarizes the law as enacted, as general information as of October 2026. It is not legal advice, and statutes can change, so check the current text or ask a lawyer about a specific situation.

What the law allows for ages 12 and up

Under the act, a mental health professional may provide psychotherapy services to a minor who is 12 or older, with or without the consent of a parent or legal guardian, if the professional determines both of the following:

• The young person is knowingly and voluntarily seeking the services.
• Psychotherapy is clinically indicated and necessary to the young person's well-being.

What the law says about parents

The act asks the therapist to work toward involving family, not around it. The therapist must talk with the young person about why involving and notifying a parent or guardian matters, and must encourage that step to support the young person's care.

With the young person's consent, the therapist may tell a parent or guardian about the services given or needed, unless doing so would be inappropriate or harmful to the young person's care. The therapist may also notify a parent without the young person's consent if, in the therapist's professional opinion, the young person cannot manage their own care or treatment.

Two situations override privacy. If a young person in therapy under this law communicates an intent to die by suicide, the therapist must notify a parent or guardian. If they communicate a clear and imminent intent or threat to seriously harm themselves or others, the therapist is subject to the state's separate notification law.

The therapist must also document any attempt to contact a parent, or why contacting one would be inappropriate, and keep a written statement signed by the young person saying they are seeking therapy voluntarily. The law applies to outpatient therapy, not inpatient care.

A separate rule for ages 15 and up

Colorado has a second, older provision in its mental health law. As restated in House Bill 22-1256, it says a minor 15 or older may consent to receive mental health services from a facility or licensed professional, with or without a parent's consent. That provision also says the professional may, with or without the young person's consent, tell a parent or guardian about the services given or needed.

The two rules overlap but are not the same, which is one more reason to ask questions at the start rather than assume.

Talking about it as a family

For many families, the law matters less than the conversation. A teen who wants therapy is doing something brave and sensible. Parents who learn about it later often worry most about being shut out. Both feelings make sense.

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry notes that the relationship between therapist and young person is very important, and that a teen must feel comfortable, safe and understood. Parents can still be part of the picture. A good first step is to ask the therapist, together if possible, what will stay private, what will be shared, and what would change that.

How we can help

Locascio Wellness is an all-virtual practice, and sessions are by secure video. A therapist on our team is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado who works with children and teens, and clients must be physically in Colorado during each session. See our Colorado online therapy page, our teen therapy page and our child therapy page.

Consent and privacy rules have exceptions, and we cannot promise that anything will be kept from a parent. We talk this through openly with each young person and family at the start, so everyone knows what to expect. Our insurance and fees page explains benefits checks and self-pay.

A parent or teen can start with a free 15-minute consultation on our booking page. If you are in crisis or thinking about harming yourself, call or text 988, or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency services.