The introductory section notes that it is common for mental health professionals to encounter clients with either a childhood history of abuse or neglect, or a suspicion of or actual evidence of current abuse. Mental health professionals, therefore, should know the definitions, dynamics, and effects of all forms of child maltreatment; understand how contextual (environmental) and developmental factors affect the experience; and obtain specialized training to provide effective clinical intervention for children and their families. An overview of child abuse intervention for each of the mental health disciplines is provided, including psychiatry, psychology, clinical social work, psychiatric nursing, counseling, art therapy/expressive arts therapy, and child abuse intervention as a subspecialty. A discussion of the roles of mental health professionals in working with abused and neglected children and their families addresses primary and secondary prevention, tertiary intervention, evaluation and treatment, advocacy, referral, education, preparation of clients to testify in court, consultation to departments of social services, and expert testimony. Some responsibilities profiled are the reporting of child abuse, referral of children for medical evaluation, training, quality assurance practices and standards, and participation on a multidisciplinary team. Following a review of child abuse and neglect definitions, treatment issues and modalities are reviewed and described. 67 notes and a 30-item selected bibliography