Question

When a client is over 18 and discloses past abuse as a child, is the therapist mandated to report the past abuse?

1) Yes
2) No
3) It depends on the jurisdiction
4) It depends on the severity of the abuse

Answer 1

Mandatory reporting of past child abuse disclosed by adult clients varies by jurisdiction. Therapists must know local laws and balance confidentiality with reporting obligations, especially when abusers may still pose a risk to minors. The accuracy of recovered memories in therapy is debated among researchers.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a client is over 18 and discloses past abuse as a child, the legal requirement for a therapist to report the abuse can be complex. Generally, the mandate to report past child abuse disclosed by adult clients depends on the specific laws and regulations of the jurisdiction where the therapy is taking place. It's essential for therapists to be familiar with their local laws. Therapists must balance their duty to protect client confidentiality with mandatory reporting laws, and there may be differences in requirements based on factors such as whether the alleged abuser is still in contact with or poses a risk to minors. It is also important to note that the accuracy of recovered memories of past abuse has been a subject of debate. While recovered memories can be a significant aspect of a client's therapy process, the methods used to recall these memories, such as hypnosis or guided imagery, have been scrutinized by researchers due to the potential for creating false memories through suggestion.