Abstract
Child abuse reporting is mandatory for family therapists. Little is written regarding the impact of mandated reporting and its impact on the family therapy systemic processes. This paper reviews literature on the impact on therapy of mandated reporting, and shares the results of a study designed to assess the impact of mandated reporting on family therapist's attention to systemic issues. The study demonstrates that MFTs shift their focus when the question of a mandated report arises to the detriment of systemic considerations. The institutional split between investigation and treatment of child abuse is discussed.
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Brown, R., Strozier, M. Resisting Abuse at What Cost? The Impact of Mandated Reporting Laws on the Process and Content of Therapy. Contemporary Family Therapy 26, 45–60 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:COFT.0000016911.48414.7d
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:COFT.0000016911.48414.7d