Utah's House Bill 281 presents significant challenges for children seeking therapy in schools by empowering parents to restrict topics discussed during sessions. This bill, which mandates parental consent and notification about therapy sessions, could prevent therapists from addressing crucial subjects like sexual abuse. Mental health professionals, including the Utah Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, warn that limiting discussions may increase risks for children and shield perpetrators from detection. Experts argue that open communication in therapy is essential for uncovering abuse, stressing the dangers of parental control over therapeutic topics in school settings.
Therapy is widely regarded as a safe space for anyone, including children, to talk about their biggest worries, problems, and traumas. But in Utah, House Bill 281, a bill giving parents the authority to block certain topics of discussion in school therapy sessions, might make opening up harder.
'If a parent says that we cannot talk about sex, then how do we assess for sexual abuse?' asked Sarah Stroup with the Utah Association for Marriage and Family Therapy in testimony last month.
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