Adopting a framework based on interactionist sociology of emotions, the article presents the results of a qualitative study on 31 child protection workers in Quebec and the clinical functional impacts of the phenomenon of emotional difficulties reported on their professional relationship with children and their families. Negative impacts were reported by all clinicians (decrease of intensity in service delivery [N = 22], hurtful relationships with clients [N = 22], lack of empathy and helpful relationship [N = 20], decrease of work quality and objective and analytical abilities of clinicians [N = 16]). This research project directly associates work conditions to the protection of clinicians and to that of children in their care. It also shows that the emotional labor that must be produced by the worker following the institution’s requirements (employer, academic institutions and professional orders) is at the heart of all professional interactions.