Frequently Asked Questions

The age of consent for outpatient mental health services in Washington state is 13 years old. This means anyone 13 years or older may receive outpatient mental health services without the consent of a parent or guardian.

A ROI can be signed by a client for a variety of purposes, including but not limited to:

• Assistance with scheduling appointments (typically for a parent or guardian)
• Treatment planning with an outside provider (typically for a PCP, school counselor or other mental health provider)
• By the request of the client (for any purpose requested by the client)
• A client can request to sign a ROI at any time with either their therapist or the BYS front desk.

All BYS therapists are mandated reporters. A therapist will break confidentiality in the following instances:

• If an individual is a danger to themselves or others
• If an individual discloses child abuse, elder abuse, or dependent adult abuse
• If an individual discloses sexual assault

In instances where a client discloses child abuse or sexual assault, therapists are required by law to report to the relevant public agency, such as Child Protective Services.

In instances where a client discloses they are an active threat to themselves or others, therapists will break confidentiality to notify a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult and help direct client to inpatient care for their own safety.

The age of consent for outpatient mental health services in Washington state is 13 years old. This means that if you are 13 years or older you may seek out mental health services for yourself without the consent of a parent or guardian.

All BYS therapists are mandated reporters. A therapist will break confidentiality in the following instances:

• If you are a danger to yourself or others
• If you disclose child abuse, elder abuse, or dependent adult abuse
• If you disclose sexual assault

In instances where a client discloses child abuse or sexual assault, therapists are required by law to report to the relevant public agency, such as Child Protective Services.

In instances where a client discloses they are a danger to themselves or others, therapists will break confidentiality to notify a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult and help direct client to inpatient care for their own safety.

Tutoring at BYS is free of charge. All of the tutors are student volunteers.

All tutoring must take place at the BYS building (8533 Madison Avenue across from the BI Aquatic Center) or at Sonoji Sakai Intermediate School (9343 Sportsman Club Rd NE.)

Tutors will only receive volunteer hours from BYS if the tutoring takes place at the BYS building (8533 Madison Avenue across from the BI Aquatic Center) or at Sonoji Sakai Intermediate School (9343 Sportsman Club Rd NE.). Tutoring at any other location is not considered part of the BYS tutoring program.

Tutors will choose a day(s)/time(s) they are available to meet each week and students can drop in whenever a tutor is available in the subject or class they need help with.

Yes, tutors should let the tutoring coordinator know the new time/day you’re available. Students can drop in on a new time/day that a tutor is available in the subject or class they need help with.

Of course! We ask that you fill out a new tutor request form for each new school year. Just add the name of the tutor in the “Any other information you want to add…” field at the bottom of the form. We can let you know which days the tutor is scheduled for tutoring, but remember drop-in tutoring is first come, first served.

Yes, please fill out a new tutoring form every school year you would like to volunteer. This will keep your contact information, availability and grade up to date. You can also revise the list of subjects that you would like to tutor.

Starting in the 2025-2026 school year, BYS peer tutoring will be a drop-in model. Tutors will choose a day and time to be available at BYS for tutoring. Tutors will earn community services hours for the times they are present and scheduled.