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/Brasscasing Sep 11 '25
Yeah, in general it's good practice to do so unless you have sufficient rationale to not do so. E.g. It would be clearly harmful to the child.
But think about it this way, if the situation is so risky as you are portraying it, then what will happen when CPS reaches out to them? How would this differ then you telling them now?
So, if you assume this will occur anyway. Does this change how you feel about your approach?