What obligation does a therapist have under the Tarasoff duty?

The Tarasoff duty, established by the California Supreme Court in the case of Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, imposes a legal and ethical obligation on mental health professionals to protect individuals who are being threatened with imminent harm by a client. This means that when a therapist becomes aware of a credible threat to a specified victim, they must take reasonable steps to warn that victim or notify law enforcement, ensuring that appropriate measures are taken to prevent harm.

This obligation emphasizes the importance of client confidentiality while simultaneously recognizing the potentially life-threatening situations that could arise from a client’s disclosures. The duty to protect is not just about reporting a threat; it involves actively safeguarding the targeted individual and taking necessary steps to avert any danger.

In contrast, options that suggest remaining silent if the threat isn't immediate or simply informing family members do not fulfill the duty established by Tarasoff. Furthermore, ensuring that the client does not know their information is being shared may undermine necessary interventions in situations where there is a serious threat of harm to an identified victim, which is a critical element of the Tarasoff duty.