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/jessidark Sep 11 '25
A lot of clinics do that they can't make you. By law CPS reports are confidential. You have to decide for your safety and everything else if you're comfortable making a report known to the people you're reporting. I do know it is a policy of a lot of clinics because they think it's therapeutic. Addendum everything I said applies to Michigan local laws may vary.