If a teacher and student are close, and the teacher thinks this student has a problem and wants to get her help, can the teacher take the student to a psychiatrist or counselor without parental consent?

G.

It depends on the age of the student and the laws governing his or her state, territory or country. In Tennessee, for instance, where I live and practice, an individual age 16 or older can seek counseling on his or her own, without parental consent. So I assume that a Tennessee teacher could legally assist a 16-year-old in getting help without the parents' knowledge or consent.

A teacher in your locale should know -- or be able to find out -- the relevant laws in your area. Of course, if a student less than 18 years old shares with the teacher that he or she is being abused, the teacher has an ethical and, probably, legal obligation to report the abuse and see that the student gets help, whether or not the parents consent.

When abuse is not a factor, another possibility is for a teacher to meet with the parents or arrange a joint meeting with a school counselor (if there is one) to suggest the parents get help for their child. As long as the student is living at home and dependent upon the parents, it would probably benefit both the student and the parents for all to be involved in any intervention.