When should a teenager start talking to the doctor alone?

I want both the teenager and the parent to understand what is happening.

As children move into adolescence, I begin spending part of routine visits talking with the teen privately. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers time alone with an adolescent developmentally appropriate and recommends making it a consistent part of care.

I explain confidentiality and its limits. Parents still matter enormously. They often know the medical and family history better than anyone, and they are usually central to helping a teenager stay healthy.

The relationship changes gradually.

A teenager who has had some practice talking with a doctor is better prepared to ask a difficult question when one eventually comes up. I like when a teen starts talking to me when they need another trusted adult. I like when their parent trusts that I have everyone’s back.

That balance—giving a teenager appropriate privacy while keeping parents meaningfully involved—is part of adolescent primary care.

Sources: American Academy of Pediatrics: Confidentiality in the Care of Adolescents

This article is general educational information, not individual medical advice. What is appropriate for you depends on your history and circumstances.