What is a mandated reporter?

A: California law requires therapists (among many professions) to report reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect of a child, elder, or dependent adult to protective agencies.¹ It's the main structured exception to confidentiality. What does not trigger a report: your own past experiences of abuse as an adult survivor (with narrow exceptions, e.g., an identified child still at risk), substance use, affairs, intrusive thoughts, or honest disclosure of suicidal feelings — those get clinical care, not case files.

Worked example: "My father hit me growing up" from a 35-year-old whose father has no access to children → no report; it's your history and your therapy. "My partner hits our 8-year-old" → report required.

Do this: if you're unsure where a topic falls, ask before disclosing: "Is this something you'd have to report?" Therapists answer that directly and would rather you ask than stay silent.

Source: 1. Penal Code §11164 et seq. (CANRA); W&I Code §15630 — leginfo.legislature.ca.gov.