Think About This – Child Abuse?

Avoiding Liability Bulletin – February 2008

…A parent smokes marijuana (one time) in front of her 17 year-old daughter and tells her therapist about this. Is a child abuse report required? Is a child abuse report permitted?

…A parent snorts a line of cocaine (one time) in front of her 17 year-old daughter and tells her therapist about this. Is a child abuse report required? Is a child abuse report permitted?

…What if the child in the questions above is an 11 year-old daughter? Do any of your answers change? Stay tuned!

If you would like to offer your views on the answers to these questions, please feel free to send your email comments to CPH Insurance at info@cphins.com. CPH Insurance will forward your emails to me and I will report (in a future Avoiding Liability Bulletin – in March or April 2008) on the nature and extent of the responses and viewpoints expressed. Be sure to let me know what state you are talking about!

Download PDF

About the Author

Richard Leslie

Richard S. Leslie is an attorney and acknowledged expert on the interrelationship between law and the practice of marriage and family therapy and psychotherapy. Most recently, he was a consultant to the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and has written articles regarding legal and ethical issues for their Family Therapy Magazine. Prior to his work with AAMFT, Richard was Legal Counsel to the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) for approximately twenty-two years. While there, he also served as their director of Government Relations and tirelessly advocated for due process and fairness for licensees and applicants.

Learn more about Richard Leslie

About the Author

Richard Leslie

Related articles

Privilege and Confidentiality – A Deeper Look

Child Abuse – Neglect/Endangerment

Brief Reminders/Questions