The Impact of Mandated Reporting on the Therapeutic Process

Picking up the Pieces

The introduction of mandated reporting laws of suspected child maltreatment in the United States was intended to solve a problem - it has, however, also created new ones. What began as an effort to ensure that physicians were reporting physical abuse of children has expanded: psychotherapists, counsellors, social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists and other mental health practitioners are now included as mandated reporters. In addition, the scope of child maltreatment has broadened to include physical neglect, emotional maltreatment and sexual abuse.

The authors of this book discuss the profound effects - both positive and negative - that these changes have had on child protection services. In particular, they examine the impact on the typically long-term, trust-based therapist/client relationship. The book includes interviews with therapists and other child protection workers, reports on a North American survey of clinical psychologists working primarily in child maltreatment, suggests clinical strategies and considers practice and policy issues.