Citation

Cooper AE. J. Am. Med. Assoc. JAMA 1982; 248(4): 431-432.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1982, American Medical Association)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

7087142

Abstract

The 1976 Tarasoff decision in California imposes a duty on psychotherapists to take action to prevent a dangerous patient from harming another party. Subsequent court cases have elaborated on this duty, which poses a serious threat to the confidentiality of the therapist patient relationship. Concern has also arisen about the application of the duty to self-inflicted harm, property damage, or unidentified victims; expansion of the duty beyond warning victims; and prediction of dangerousness. After reviewing the pertinent court actions, the author briefly suggests ways for therapists to handle these issues.