if you are about to kill yourself or others, your therapist HAS to get outside help - he can't just let it happen. Please note that there is a difference (and it's not even subtle) between discussing thoughts of suicide and murder vs. you are about to do the same. Calmly talking with your therapist about those thoughts will not be an issue; being severely agitated and shouting about who has it coming surely is. The specific wording is that there must be imminent or inevitable risk and that a specific victim can be identified - to be fair, if i were to be in such a state, i'd prefer a mental hospital stay over hurting someone anyway.

They also have a duty to report if you tell them you are about to commit a crime (please note that this does not include stuff in the past), and they have a duty to report in the case of a minor telling them that they are in an abusive home situation. That's the gist of it. There are some state laws like in California where, should you be in the situation where the prosecution wants to give you a death sentence, they can call your therapist as a witness; or when you admit to viewing CSAM. You can read up details here.

I've discussed suicidal thoughts, murderous thoughts, psychiatric episodes, past abuse i've experienced (passive AND active - people who get abused tend to do the same to others, especially as a child, which still haunted me nearly 30 years later), situations where i hurt others in my past (real and imagined), illegal substance abuse and addiction, theft, and a lot of other shit that happened in my life with my therapist.

As long as you don't show disclose intent to harm yourself or others then you're fine. Note that ideation is not intent but where exactly that line lies will depend on the therapist.

Generally speaking, saying that you have thoughts of suicide is fine, but saying that you went out and bought a tank of inert gas, some hoses, and a big plastic bag, will get you put on a psych hold.

Always frame your suicidal thoughts as ideation. I don't even have to say I feel suicidal anymore, I just tell my therapist I have had ideation a lot lately, and she knows what I mean.

I've had the same therapist for four years (I must be ongoing for my situation). She was my 5th therapist attempt in two years. I hired her for my son initially, he didn't take to her, but we just clicked, and now been with her a very long time.

Everything remains confidential unless you tell them you are going to hurt yourself or someone else, they will ask if you have a plan if you say you intend to hurt yourself or others.

Finding someone you trust is key, someone who gets you. I like that my therapist has shared with me, she herself, has ADHD and understands a lot of the struggles I go through.

If you want more information, look into what being a "mandated reporter" involves. They are mandated reporters.

Noting here, for the first time in my life, if we take away the stress of current events, my depression is technically in remission for the first time in my life. No meds, just good ole coping and love within my circle :)

Hmm. Honestly? I'm unsure if promoting that sort of withholding would be moral, despite it seeming wise to be aware of. Generally, anything said pro is required to report on, but that's merely a technicality and in no way implies a suggestion to hide truth from the law. Ahem.