Q: Will my therapist tell my parents what I say?
A: If you're 12+ and consented to your own treatment under California law, you hold the confidentiality rights — your therapist involves your parents only when clinically appropriate and generally with your participation.¹ If your parents consented for you, they have more access on paper, but therapists set ground rules up front, and the working norm is: parents may get broad updates ("we're working on anxiety"), not transcripts. The safety exceptions apply regardless: serious danger to you or others, and abuse.
Worked example: telling your therapist you're vaping, failing a class, or questioning your sexuality → stays in the room. Telling them someone at home is hurting you → they act, because protecting you is the point.
Do this: make it explicit in session one: "What exactly will my parents hear from you?" A good therapist answers precisely and sticks to it.
Source: 1. H&S §124260; W&I and H&S minor records provisions — california.public.law.