California Law and Ethics Practice Exam

Who can provide information to a therapist about a patient's potential for serious violence that would trigger the duty to warn?

1. Only the patient themselves

2. Anyone considered credible by the therapist

3. Family members only

4. Other healthcare providers exclusively

The correct answer is: Anyone considered credible by the therapist

The correct choice is that anyone considered credible by the therapist can provide information regarding a patient's potential for serious violence, which can trigger the duty to warn. This understanding is vital within the context of California law, particularly under the Tarasoff ruling, which established the therapist's duty to warn identifiable victims if a patient poses a serious risk of harm to themselves or others. In practice, therapists often assess the credibility of information received from various sources, including family members, friends, colleagues, or any other individuals who may have relevant insights into the patient's mental state or potential for violence. The key factor is the credibility of the information, rather than the identity of the person providing it. This allows the therapist to take proactive steps to ensure safety when credible threats are identified. The other options are limited in scope, as restricting information solely to the patient, family members, or other healthcare providers would prevent therapists from receiving potentially crucial insights from a broader range of individuals, thus hindering their ability to make informed decisions about the patient's risk of violence.