Maybe where YOU live.I say again.....no Therapist and no Psychologist or Psychiatrist ( adding 'here' if it makes someone feel better) is going to turn a patient over to the Law on a suspicion....such a case, which will be based on a client testifying against him/herself, cannot be successful before a Court. If you insist on such folly, think about it this way; it doesnt matter what I admit to you, in your office. I cannot be compelled to admit it in any court. That makes your testimony hearsay. If the law cannot make the case in another way, it will go NOwhere. It will be dismissed. So....you as a therapist are going to BREAK confidentiality on a failing case, lose a client, and when the client realizes what you did and sues, and wins, LOSE your license and livelihood? Mmmmhmmm....nope. If this has been done anywhere in the US, MIGHT there not be something going on that posters on Virped and the like AREN'T telling you? That they may have admitted to actual crimes against people, or done physical damage to an animal ( something severe enough to require reporting )? I dont know how this would play in The German Republic. Possibly they are more liberal, since they don't seem to be actively enforcing law regarding bestiality. But Licensed Doctors and Therapists are required to act in certain ethical ways. In the US, there is Hiipa, a Federal Law covering confidentiality. Without permission, sharing info covered under the Law is a criminal act, which can require being made whole legally. Lawyers love it....Doctors aren't lovers of it at all. And it covers all employees in a given information chain. Malpractice insurance is expensive.
Every time Ive been in any Docs office since Hiipa was passed, Ive had to sign a document to the effect that I'm aware of my rights under the law. It states that the Practice is aware of that, as well as their responsibility to me as a patient.
If I was do therapy, the day it actually gets discussed the first time, I would bring HIIPA up and make sure the listening party knows I know. I also would be careful what I reveal, and only give up what the person needs to know.
First off, it's HIPPA, you've mispelled it multiple times.
Second of all, HIPPA is a document ensuring confidentiality as you said (you've also mentioned USA so I'll stick to USA law). There are some other reasons why a therapist is allowed to break hippa, but for our sake, a therapist is allowed to break HIPPA if they believe a client is endangering a population (that cannot protect themselves). This typically includes things such as child abuse, elder abuse, etc. At the current state: On that list, animal abuse is not on the list of protected parties, but there are potential loopholes around it/trying to pressure lawmakers to make "animal abuse" another protected party. Which could also entail bestiality.
At the current moment, therapists do have to report some crimes. " When the therapist-patient privilege does apply, it covers patients’ statements, and often therapists’ diagnoses and notes. It includes recitations of fact, and expressions of emotion and opinion—just about anything the patient says. It can even include admissions of criminal liability: In several jurisdictions, a therapist CANNOT report someone who confesses to a crime. However, there are scenarios in which mental health professionals either can or must report criminal behavior. And the rules regarding admissions of guilt can vary from one state to another." (I've read some other websites and this isn't a cut and dry answer on what therapists can report/do not have to report as it varies statewide.)
I feel like you think I'm telling OP not to attend therapy, I'm not saying that at all, therapy can help but OP should be careful in this territory. The laws aren't very clear on bestiality in many regards. I worry if OP tells their psychologist about their bestiality and it is either A. mandatory to report or B. Becomes mandatory to report (under "animal cruelty" laws) and he has already admitted what his actions are on it, he could potentially ruin his life and end up on the sex offender registry (which many states have for bestiality) as it may be considered a confession.
I'm also not a lawyer, but can see how some laws may slap in animal cruelty to also mean bestiality, which OP could potentially get into trouble for. (There's too much law jargon on this matter so I'm not going to spend all night reading up on it.)
tldr: hippa law does report stuff, but it varies state by state and while it's legal for animal cruelty to not be reported, it's a grey area when it comes to bestiality/groups are trying to fight for animal cruelty confessions to be mandatory reporting. It is also dependent on the specific laws (statewide) on crimes that are legally needed to be reported.
Advice to OP (Not for you Saddlebum):
OP, if you go to therapy and you want your therapist to have an idea on your thoughts on bestiality, this is what I recommend. Make a list of things that are illegal and not illegal. I want you to write down on a piece of paper 10 things that are illegal and not illegal (doesn't have to be something you did at all.) For example: Stealing, Treason, bestiality, lying, cheating, bullying, drugs, bad thoughts, etc.
I want to you to tell your therapist that you aren't sure of the laws on your past, but you want your therapist to have a better idea on how to treat you.
You bring that list into your therapist for them to read it. You make it clear many of those things are not illegal and many of the illegal things on that list you did not do.
Why on earth would you do this? Because of schrodinger's cat. The therapist knows what you did, without really knowing what you did. Therefore, they cannot report you, because you put things on that list that were completely legal (albeit unethical) and you admitted to nothing illegal. Therapists often need some sort of evidence such as a confession, but if you put a list down of legal and non illegal things and make it clear some of the list you've never done, but some of it you have, they can't report you for anything just because they have a suspicion.
I did something similar with my therapist and it actually helped me a lot (before she became mean) because she knew what I did without knowing what I did, and she was better able to help me.
Also OP, they can't fix your zoophilia, but they can help you with your self esteem/venting.
That's why you should partake in a philosophy of talking to us here about your Zoophilia. You didn't choose your sexuality, therefore have nothing to feel ashamed about. But, you do have the power to make choices, and those choices are ultimately up to you to decide. Let your morality and ethics guide you. Deep down, you know your version of right and wrong, and even if your choice is hard, always go with your own beliefs.
If you’re wondering, “When does a therapist have to break client confidentiality?”, know that the answer isn't exactly black and white.
www.simplepractice.com
Here’s when mental health professionals need to report what a client does or says during a therapy session.
www.huffpost.com
Not everything you share with a therapist can be kept confidential.
www.stopitnow.org
(Article to entice laws to change on animal abuse)
https://societyforpsychotherapy.org/toward-mandatory-reporting-animal-abuse-psychologists/
When therapists can and can't legally divulge what’s said in therapy.
www.nolo.com