When should you bring someone into your therapy?

Therapy is a private, confidential space designed to help you reflect, grow, and heal. Because of this, many clients wonder:

“Can I bring someone—like a partner, friend, or family member—to my therapy session?”

The short answer is: Sometimes — if it supports your therapeutic goals.But there are important boundaries and legal steps involved, including a Release of Information (ROI) to protect your confidentiality.

Why Would a Therapist Invite Someone Into Therapy?

Therapists occasionally involve another person in treatment when it benefits you or advances the work you're doing. This is not the same as couples or family therapy; the primary client remains you, and the other person is participating only as a collateral support.

Here are the most common reasons a therapist may agree to involve someone:

1. Relationship or Communication Work

If you’re working on improving communication, resolving conflict, or discussing relational patterns, having the other person present may provide:

• Real-time examples of communication styles

• Opportunities to practice new skills

• A space to express needs with therapist support

2. When Support Outside the Session Is Helpful

Bringing someone in can help reinforce changes at home, such as:

• Sleep hygiene routines

• Health or mental-health behavior changes

• Coping strategies or grounding techniques

3. When They Have Relevant Information

Sometimes another person has observations that can inform treatment, such as:

• Emotional or behavioral changes the client may not recognize

• Developmental history (for example, during ADHD or trauma assessments)

4. To Help Loved Ones Understand Your Mental Health Needs

Involving a support person can help them learn:

• What you're working on

• How to support you appropriately

• What behaviors might unintentionally make symptoms worse

5. Planning for Important Life Changes

Such as:

• Hospital discharge planning

• Caregiver planning

• Co-parenting discussions

  
  

When Not to Bring Someone Into Therapy

Therapy is not an appropriate place to bring someone when:

• You feel obligated or pressured to bring them

• Their presence would silence you or make you feel unsafe

• They have a history of controlling or manipulative behavior

• The goal is to “prove a point” or justify a narrative

If including someone causes you to censor your emotions or edit your truth, it’s not therapeutically helpful.

Your therapy space should feel emotionally safe and centered on your voice.

Confidentiality: Why a Release of Information (ROI) Is Required

Before another person joins your session, your therapist will require that you complete a Release of Information (ROI) form. This protects your privacy and ensures that:

• You control who can participate,

• You control what information may be shared,

• Your boundaries remain intact.

An ROI is not just a formality—it's a legal and ethical requirement under HIPAA and professional ethics.

What Happens During a Shared Session?

Your therapist will:

1. Clarify the purpose of the person joining the session

2. Establish expectations and boundaries

3. Make sure the focus remains on your treatment goals

Examples of what a therapist may ask during the shared session:

• “How can you support this person’s mental health goals?”

• “What gets in the way of healthy communication?”

• “What would help both of you feel heard?”

Afterward, you may continue therapy individually.

The Core Question

When deciding whether to bring someone, ask yourself:

“Will including this person help my growth?”

If the answer is yes, talk to your therapist about the next steps.

The Takeaway

Bringing someone into therapy can be powerful and transformative when it:

• Supports your treatment goals,

• Strengthens communication,

• Provides emotional or practical support.

But you never have to bring anyone into therapy unless you believe it will help your healing.

Your therapy is your space. Your voice comes first.

Want to Discuss This With Your Therapist?

You can say:

“I’m considering inviting someone to participate in a session. Can we explore whether that would support my therapy goals?”

Your therapist will walk you through the process—including completing a Release of Information form—so your boundaries and privacy remain protected.

I hope you find this helpful!

See you next time!

Daniella Pedroso, Psy.D.