CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

The Mental Health Professional and Child Abuse

Mental Health Disciplines and Child Abuse Intervention

Psychiatry

Psychology

Clinical Social Work

Psychiatric Nursing

Counseling

Art Therapy/Expensive Arts Therapy

Child Abuse Intervention as a Subspecialty

2. ROLES OF MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH     ABUSED AND NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES

Primary and Secondary Prevention

Tertiary Intervention

Evaluation and Treatment

Advocate

Source of Information and Referrals

Educator

Preparing Clients to Testify in Court

Consultant to County or State Departments of Social Services

Expert Witness

 

3. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL

Report Child Abuse and Neglect

Resistance to Child Abuse Reporting Laws

Inappropriate Interventions

Whether to Tell the Client that the Mental Health Professional Is Making a Report

Refer Children for Medical Evaluations

Prevent Sexual Abuse of Child and Adult Clients by Therapists

Acquire Knowledge, Skills, and Expertise Through Training

Establish Quality Assurance Practices and Standards

Participate on a Multidisciplinary Team

4. HOW CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT ARE DEFINED

Operational Definitions

Physical Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Emotional/Psychological Abuse

Child Neglect

Incidence

Effects of Child Abuse

Contextual and Developmental Factors

Physical Abuse

Sexual Abuse

Neglect

Mental Health Evaluations

Forensic Evaluations

Parents

Clinical Evaluations of Children, Parents and Families

Assessing Suicidal Risk

Behavioral Clues to Suicide

 

5. MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT ISSUES AND MODELS

Intrafamilial Child Abuse Treatment

Isolation

Poor Communication and Ambiguous Boundaries

Sexual Distortions

Intervention Issues

Assessment of the Child’s Immediate and Long-Term

   Treatment Needs

Child’s Safety from Abuse

Empowerment of the Nonoffending Parent

Management of Sexualized Behavior

Skill Building and Education

Status of the Intrafamilial Perpetrator

Willingness of the Perpetrator to Assume Genuine

   Responsibility

Awareness and Management of Incestuous Thoughts and Behavior

Marital Therapy

Reestablishment of the Parent-Child Relationship

The Comprehensive Sexual Abuse Treatment Program (CSATP)

Nonfamilial Child Abuse: Providing Support to Parents

Child Physical Abuse Treatment Components

Education and Skill Training May Not Be Enough

Aggression Management

Self-Help Groups

Parents Anonymous Model

Neglecting Families: Intensive In-home Interventions

 

6. TREATMENT MODALITIES

Dealing with the Justice System

Managing the Therapeutic Environment

Physical Environment

Support Personnel

Structure of the Therapeutic Session

Confidentiality

Release of Information

Personal Issues for Mental Health Professionals

Countertransference

Stress and Burnout

Managing Professional and Private Lives

Responsibilities of Supervisors, Managers, and Administrators

 

7. CAREGIVERS OF YOUNG CHILDREN: PREVENTING AND RESPONDING TO CHILD MALTREATMENT

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

State Laws

Who Reports

Definitions of Child Abuse and Neglect

When to Report

Where to Report

How to Report

Local Program Reporting Requirements

Local Policies and Procedures for Reporting

Difficulties Encountered When Reporting

Personal Feelings

Program Policies and Practices

Center-based Programs

Family Child Care

Once the Report is Made

Summary

 

APPENDIX A: Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect

Who Must Report

Circumstances

APPENDIX B: Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and

   Neglect: Summary of State Laws

Privileged Communications

APPENDIX C: Child Abuse Reporting Numbers

GLOSSARY OF TERMS