THE FIRST PORTION OF THE PAPER EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THOROUGH PSYCHOLOGICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC SCREENING OF ABUSIVE PARENTS BEFORE PLACING THEM IN THE USUAL TYPE OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES COUNSELING PROGRAM. A SMALL NUMBER OF ABUSIVE PARENTS (ESTIMATED AT LESS THAN 10 PERCENT) HAVE SERIOUS PSYCHOLOGICAL PROBLEMS AND NEED INTENSIVE, PROLONGED PSYCHIATRIC CARE. CASEWORKERS ARE WARNED ALSO THAT CHILD ABUSE OCCURS AMONG ALL RACES AND AT ALL SOCIOECONOMIC LEVELS, ALTHOUGH POVERTY IS A STRESS FACTOR WHICH MAY COMBINE WITH OTHER STRESS FACTORS TO CREATE A SITUATION IN WHICH ABUSE OCCURS. THE CASE WORKER IS WARNED AGAINST LECTURING THE ABUSIVE PARENT. INSTEAD, SUCCESSFUL COUNSELORS CONCENTRATE ON UNDERSTANDING THE FACTORS WHICH UNDERLIE THE ABUSIVE BEHAVIOR. THE DESCRIPTIONS OF CHARACTERISTICS OF ABUSIVE PARENTS RELATE TO ATTITUDES OF IMMATURITY AND DEPENDENCY OFTEN RESULTING FROM EMOTIONAL DEPRIVATION ENDURED IN EARLY LIFE. THESE ATTITUDES COMBINE WITH LOW SELF-ESTEEM, A SENSE OF INCOMPETENCE, DIFFICULTY IN SEEKING PLEASURE AND FINDING SATISFACTION IN THE ADULT WORLD, SOCIAL ISOLATION, MISPERCEPTIONS OF THE NEEDS OF THE INFANT, AND A STRONG BELIEF IN THE VALUE OF PUNISHMENT TO FORM CONSTELLATIONS OF CHARACTERISTICS ASSOCIATED WITH ABUSE. THE IMPORTANCE OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT AND CRISIS INTERVENTION IS EXAMINED. THE VALUE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF PSYCHOTHERAPY, GROUP THERAPY, COUPLE GROUPS, SELF-HELP GROUPS, AND OTHER TREATMENT TECHNIQUES ARE DISCUSSED. (GLR)