I don't think you need to tell your parents that you are going to see your university's counselor. You are in college. That's your business. Technically, you are an adult. Your parents should respect your privacy. I wouldn't tell them. It's none of their business. Don't accommodate them with every detail of your life, dear. They don't need to know. If you were going to the hospital for an operation, then you should tell them. But, to go see a counselor at your university? Not an emergency that they need to know about. There has to be some boundaries drawn between you and your parents. This would be one boundary that you should draw, to keep yourself separate from your parents. Don't tell them. You're not hiding anything by not telling them. It's just none of their business. It's very important that you maintain some psychological distance from your parents, esp. if you are going to go to counseling. That really isn't something they need to be, or should be, involved with. Good luck dear!