Teen Therapy in Las Vegas: 10 Things Nevada Parents Should Know
By: Kerry McCarthy, LMHC, LPC, CPC, LAC
If your teen has recently started therapy, or if you’re considering it, you might be feeling a mix of things. You might be proud of them for asking for help, a little nervous about what they might talk about or curious how it all works. Maybe you’re even unsure where you fit into the process.
That’s okay. You're not alone. Therapy with teens is different than therapy with younger kids, and it brings up a unique set of questions for parents. Who signs the paperwork? Will you be kept in the loop? Can your teen go without telling you? What if you’re worried about them?
Let’s walk through 10 important things every parent should know about teen therapy in Las Vegas so you can feel more informed, less anxious, and better equipped to support your child through this process.
1. Teens Usually Need a Parent to Consent to Therapy (But Not Always)
In Nevada, most teens under 18 need a parent or legal guardian to sign off before they can start therapy. But there are exceptions. A teen can consent to their own therapy, if your teen is:
Married
Emancipated
Living independently
Pregnant or parenting
And in situations where a teen is experiencing serious emotional distress and parental involvement isn’t possible or would cause harm. Even in these scenarios, some providers may still be able to offer limited services.
2. You’ll Probably Be the One Signing Paperwork
If your teen is still under your care and not legally emancipated, you'll be the one signing the intake forms, consent documents, and initial agreements. That said, some therapists will also ask your teen to sign certain documents so they feel part of the process too, especially around confidentiality. It sets the tone that this space is theirs.
In Nevada, both parents with legal custody must consent to their child's mental health treatment, including therapy, unless specific circumstances exist. This aligns with the state's requirement for informed consent from all legal guardians before treatment.
Nevada law emphasizes the importance of informed consent for mental health treatment, meaning both parents must understand the nature and purpose of the treatment and voluntarily agree to it. If parents share joint legal custody, both generally need to consent to the child's therapy.
3. Confidentiality Still Applies—Even With Minors
This one can be surprising. Just because you sign your teen up for therapy doesn’t mean you’ll automatically get updates about every session. Therapists in Nevada are ethically and legally bound to protect your teen’s privacy, even if you’re footing the bill. That means your teen’s therapist likely won’t share details unless:
Your teen gives written permission (known as a release of information or ROI)
There’s a safety concern (more on that below)
You’ve agreed ahead of time on what will be shared
It’s not about keeping secrets, it’s about helping your teen feel safe enough to be honest. And that honesty is where real healing happens.
4. Supporting Your Teen in Counseling—You Will Be Brought In, When It Makes Sense
Most therapists who work with teens try to strike a balance. They may check in with you at the start of treatment, and again if they need background, context, or to collaborate on next steps. But they’ll also work to protect the trust they’ve built with your teen. That might mean keeping some things private—even if they feel big to you.
5. You’ll Be Notified If There’s a Safety Concern
If your teen shares something that suggests they’re at risk of harming themselves, hurting someone else, or being harmed (including abuse or neglect), the therapist must break confidentiality. That’s not just policy, it’s Nevada state law. If something comes up that requires action, you’ll be looped in quickly and clearly. Your teen won’t be left alone to handle it.
6. Therapy Isn’t About Blaming Parents
Sometimes parents worry that therapy will become a weekly session of finger-pointing.
But that’s not the goal. Good teen therapy helps your child understand themselves better, build emotional skills, and navigate relationships, including the one they have with you. And while things from home may come up, it’s more about giving them space to process, not to assign blame.
7. You Might Not See Immediate Changes
Healing isn’t always linear. You might notice your teen gets quieter before they open up. You might not hear much about what’s happening in sessions. That doesn’t mean it’s not working. Sometimes the real shift is internal, a deeper sense of clarity, less shame, more calm. Other times, the work looks like silence followed by a breakthrough weeks later.
Trust the process, even if it’s unfolding quietly.
8. You Can Still Be Involved—Even If You’re Not in the Room
Ask your teen (and their therapist) how you can support them outside of sessions. Maybe that looks like driving them to appointments without pushing for details. Maybe it’s being open to family sessions if they’re offered. Maybe it’s just holding space, checking in gently, or letting them know, “I’m proud of you for doing this.”
9. Not All Therapists Are the Right Fit
Finding a therapist your teen clicks with matters. It’s okay to try a few before committing to one. Your teen deserves to feel seen, heard, and safe so if the first therapist isn’t the right one, that’s not failure, it’s just part of the process.
10. This Can Be a Turning Point For You Both
When a teen starts therapy, it can be a catalyst for growth, not just for them, but for the whole family. It can invite new conversations, new understanding, and new ways of showing up for each other. And you don’t have to get it perfect. Just being open, curious, and supportive goes a long way.
Final Thought: You’re Still Their Anchor
Even if they roll their eyes. Even if they don’t tell you much. Even if they act like they don’t need you. This process still needs you. Your presence, your stability, your belief in them, it matters. Therapy can be one of the greatest tools a teen has to navigate the ups and downs of growing up. And when parents are informed, open, and willing to walk alongside them? That’s when real change takes root.
At Wandering Pine Wellness, we support teens and their families through life’s toughest moments.
Our Las Vegas-based therapists understand the delicate balance of helping teens grow while keeping parents appropriately involved. If you're not sure where to start or how to support your teen in this, reach out. We're here to help.
Request an Appointment with one of our therapists who get it.
