Vignette 22: A Duty to Report?

Dr. Tell worked with a woman for several months on issues related to depression, anxiety, and relationship issues. During one session, the patient indicated that her boyfriend has lost interest in sex and became more involved with online pornography. While discussing these issues, the patient suddenly stopped talking. Dr. Tell allowed several moments to pass before asking the patient what was happening. 

The client indicated that she was hesitant to speak about the issue for fear of a breach of confidentiality. Dr. Tell reminded her about confidentiality and the laws in Pennsylvania that would override it. The client continued to struggle. She eventually blurted out that, during a heated discussion, her boyfriend indicated that looking at online pornography was not as bad as what his uncle did. She went on to detail how her boyfriend described how his uncle was involved in collecting and distributing child pornography but remained faithful to his aunt. The client's boyfriend expressed that she should never discuss this with anyone. The client asked if she could just give Dr. Tell the information about the uncle so that she could report it to the authorities and leave her out of the situation. The client is feeling very helpless and vulnerable about this bind. 

Dr. Tell explained that the alleged perpetrator was several times removed from their sessions and she did not believe that she had the obligation to report it. The client then asked if she could invite her boyfriend to the next session so that they could all discuss the information and the best way to handle the situation. 
 

Dr. Tell focused the client on her dilemma as well as the relationship issues with her boyfriend. Dr. Tell agreed to contact someone to discuss whether Dr. Tell had to report this information to the police or Child Protective Services. And, Dr. Tell agreed to determine whether or not reporting this information would put her client’s confidentiality at risk. She also agreed to think about the need to bring in the boyfriend, because inviting him to therapy will not necessarily help the situation.

  

Dr. Tell contacts you with the above scenario.
 

1. How would you feel if you were Dr. Tell?
 

2. How would you feel if you were the consultant?

3. Is Dr. Tell a mandated reporter in this situation?

4. As a mandated reporter, would Dr. Tell report place her client's confidentiality be at risk?
 

5. If Dr. Tell is not a mandated reporter, should Dr. Tell bring in the boyfriend gather more facts so that Dr. Tell can report the alleged crime?
 

6. Is the goal of therapy to help the client manage the situation or is the responsibility now on the psychologist to gather more information about the possible crimes committed with children?
 

7. Can the client contact Child Protective Services anonymously in this case?

8. Can the psychologist contact Child Protective Services anonymously, provided that the client supply the name and address of the uncle?

9.What should the psychologist do?