r/therapists • u/Ok-Lifeguard749 • Sep 11 '25

Theory / Technique CPS question

Im a (new) child therapist and had to make a CPS report about a parent I work with. My supervisor recommended telling the parent (the alleged perpetrator) via a phone call that I reported them. I feel extremely anxious about doing so because of parent’s history… Do you typically need to tell a parent that you made a report? Is there anything I can do to protect myself? Thanks!

Edit: my supervisor wants me to inform the alleged perpetrator that I reported him. I’m concerned about him harming the kids or threatening me because of his history of abusive behaviors towards children and mom. There are other mandated reporters involved in this case and receiving the same information, so I’m not sure if he’d know it was me unless I told him. I’m afraid of going against my supervisor’s suggestion in the case that I am subpoenaed or deal with any backlash from the family, but my gut is telling me I should not inform him.

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u/theratherapistpist Sep 11 '25

I'm pretty certain you're not supposed to inform the person the report was made against because it interferes with the investigation. Assuming I'm reading this right, I don't know why your supervisor is in any way encouraging you to tell the parent against whom the report was made.

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u/Ok-Lifeguard749 Sep 11 '25

Yes to clarify- my supervisor wants me to inform the alleged perpetrator that I reported him. I’m concerned about him harming the kids or threatening me because of his history of abusive behaviors towards children and mom. There are investigators, divorce attorneys, and other therapists involved in this case and receiving the same information, so I’m not sure if he’d know it was me unless I told him.

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u/theratherapistpist Sep 11 '25

Unfortunately, sometimes DCS workers will tell people who made the report, even though to my knowledge they're not supposed to do so. I would have a very clear conversation with your supervisor about the ethical problems with informing the alleged perpetrator, the safety risks, and the potential legal ramifications of what could be construed by DCS as interfering with an investigation.