Posted by TherapyGirl on November 9, 2011, at 16:56:16
I had therapy today. The whole Penn State thing was a huge topic of conversation (I have lots and lots of feelings and anger about that). But I also mentioned a situation with a family I am working with in my professional world. Mom has had mental illness for years and is clearly deteriorating. Adult son has an intellectual disability. Mom has said lots of "crazy" stuff on the phone to various staff in recent weeks such as that people think she's a terrorist and the house and phones are bugged, etc. Earlier this week she casually mentioned that her neighbors, who she says hate her, think she is having sex with her son.
I have been in various discussions with co-workers ever since deciding how best to handle this to get this family the help they need, whether or not she is molesting her son. It has never been a question in my mind of doing something, just a question of what to do. I mentioned my frustration with figuring out the best course to take and new T talked to me about it and then said, "And of course now I have to report it, so how do you want to handle this?" Obviously the LAST thing I want to do is go to my boss and tell her we have to call DSS because otherwise my therapist will rat us out. I have talked to my boss about the situation (not mentioning therapy), she seems unclear on the reporting laws and so now I have a call in to an attorney.
I'm worried that new T will take action if she doesn't hear from me soon enough, whenever that might be. I did tell her that boss had been out of the office and was not yet aware of the situation.
I'm worried about this family, pissed at T for putting me in this situation and mad at myself for not thinking of that ahead of time.
Thoughts? Ideas?
poster:TherapyGirl
thread:1002040
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20111017/msgs/1002040.html