Key points

A mental health professional (MHP) has a legal duty to report reasonable suspicions of child abuse or neglect.

When child clients do not want MHPs to report, MHPs need to take the child’s concerns into account.

MHPs can help by listening to the child’s concerns and collaborating on the best way to report and follow up.

Across the United States, state laws designate licensed mental health professionals (MHPs) as mandated reporters when they have reasonable suspicion of child abuse or neglect ( Ettinger, 2022 ). This legal obligation requires MHPs to report such concerns to child protection authorities and exposes them to potential criminal charges, fines, or professional discipline (including loss of licensure) if they fail to report. Although mandated-reporting laws play

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