How many outpatient sessions can a person under the age of 12 attend without parental notification?

The correct answer is based on the guidelines regarding confidentiality and parental notification for minors seeking outpatient mental health services. Typically, in many jurisdictions, minors may attend a limited number of sessions—often cited as five—without requiring parental notification. This provision is established to help encourage minors to seek necessary help without the fear of disclosure that might prevent them from accessing support.

The rationale behind allowing these sessions focuses on the understanding that minors may be dealing with sensitive issues that they are reluctant to discuss openly with their parents. This policy aims to promote mental health access and intervention when needed, allowing for a balance between a minor's autonomy and the role of parents in their healthcare decisions.

While young people can access unlimited sessions with parental consent, that scenario does not apply when considering the question's context on sessions without notification.