California Law and Ethics Practice Exam

In the original Tarasoff case, what failure occurred on the part of the therapist?

1. They did not provide therapy services as needed

2. They did not notify the potential victim

3. They failed to complete the medical evaluation

4. They did not include family members in treatment

The correct answer is: They did not notify the potential victim

The choice that indicates the failure on the part of the therapist in the original Tarasoff case reflects the critical issue of duty to warn. In this case, the therapist became aware that a patient posed a credible threat to an individual’s safety. However, the therapist did not inform the potential victim or appropriate authorities about this imminent danger. The failure to notify the potential victim was pivotal because it raised significant ethical and legal questions regarding the therapist’s responsibilities to protect individuals from foreseeable harm. This case ultimately established the precedent that mental health professionals have an obligation to take reasonable steps to warn identifiable victims when a patient discloses dangerous intentions. The court's decision highlighted the importance of balancing patient confidentiality with the duty to protect potential victims, reinforcing ethical standards within the mental health profession. The absence of warning or notification was not merely a lapse in judgment but underscored the clinician's legal obligation to act in the face of potential harm.