Making the Tough Call

When A Colleague Does Something Wrong, What Are Mental Health Professionals Supposed to Do?

When I help mental health professionals evaluate concerns related to their own ethical practice, I often get asked: “What should I do if I’m not the one with an ethical p

Anonymous Reports to CPS Hurt More than they Help

Anonymous reports to CPS create numerous problems for families and the CPS system. This podcast explores the reasons for eliminating anonymous reporting as an option.

Social Workers in Legal Settings: Are You Still a Mandated Reporter?

Clients of lawyers have an expectation that what they share with their lawyer will be held confidential to the highest standards. When a social worker works with that law

Power is Challenging: Boundaries for Supervisors

Boundary concerns for supervisors are particularly challenging because of the power dynamics; supervisors have considerable power over their supervisees.  When there are

When Does a Therapist Have a Duty to Warn or Protect Someone from Harm?

There are limits to client confidentiality. One of those limits relates to situations where a therapist is concerned that their client might be a danger to themself or ot

Unsupervised Kids: Are Reports to CPS Necessary?

Contrary to popular belief, most states DO NOT have a law that defines the age that a child can be left home alone. Check out this podcast episode to find out about how t

Rethinking Mandated Reporting: From Expert Kathryn Krase

In this compelling video, Dr. Kathryn Krase, a distinguished expert in law, social work, and mandated reporting, presents her testimony to the NYS Assembly hearing on Man

Family, Friends & Neighbors: When Can Therapists Work with People They Know?

Dual or multiple relationships are situations where a professional has a more than one role with someone they provide services with. This video introduces dual relationsh

Talking to Your Clients About Mandated Reporting

This video helps the professional understand considerations to make when talking to their clients about their role as a mandated reporter.

Updated New York State Mandated Reporter Training

This episode explains the new New York State requirements for updated mandated reporter training. Learn who needs the training, what's new, and how you can access the tra

Client Confidentiality: The Role of Therapist Privilege

When someone tries to access a therapist’s records in order to use them in a court case, it might be appropriate for the therapist to assert “privilege” in order to conti

Which Professionals are Mandated Reporters?

You might be wondering: how many states have mandated reporter laws? EVERY STATE HAS MANDATED REPORTER LAWS.  However, mandated reporting laws vary slightly from state to

What Happens if a Mandated Reporter Fails to Report?

Many mandated reporters are worried they will get in trouble if they don’t make a report to child protective services (CPS) when they have a concern about a child. As a r

Why Do Professions Have Code of Ethics?

Every profession has a code of ethics of some sort, but why? This podcast outlines the reasons why it is important for professions to have ethics. In the wise words of Sp

The Basics of Professional Ethics in Mental Health Care

Sometimes professional codes of ethics don't have all the answers, and professionals are left to evaluate considerations on their own. In those moments, considering the 4

Interpreting Professional Codes of Ethics

Professionals look to their professional codes of ethics to help guide them in tough situations. It's important for professionals to understand the importance of the lang

Am I always a mandated reporter?

Mandated reporters struggle with understanding when they are required to make reports to child protective services. This explores explores when mandated reporters are req

Do I Have to Report Suspicions of Past Abuse?

This episode explores whether mandated reporters are required to make reports of suspected child abuse that occurred many years ago.

Do I have to report parental drug use to CPS?

Concerns about the impact of parental substance use disorders on children are understandable. However, the obligation of mandated reporters to bring their concerns to the

Should Reports to CPS be Required? Maybe not...

This podcast explores the question whether professionals should be required to make reports to child protective services. Maybe the answer isn't as easy to discern as you