The Role of Mental Health Professionals in the Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect

This manual provides mental health professionals with a knowledge base about preventing and treating child abuse and neglect and helps them understand their roles and responsibilities in this area. Sections provide information on mental health disciplines and child abuse intervention, identify the roles of the mental health professional who works with maltreated children and their families, and describe the responsibilities of the mental health professional. Sections also provide operational definitions of abuse, summarize the problems associated with various forms of child maltreatment, and explain forensic and clinical evaluations; address mental health treatment issues and models as they relate to incestuous and neglecting families; and examine treatment modalities. Appendices identify crime victim compensation and victim assistance programs.