What is the duty to warn and protect in relation to client confidentiality?

• A. It allows for sharing information about clients with third parties
• B. It permits breaching confidentiality if the client poses an imminent threat
• C. It requires clients to report any illegal activities
• D. It enables counselors to disclose records upon request

Answer: (B)

The duty to warn and protect is a crucial ethical and legal principle that allows mental health professionals to breach client confidentiality when there is a foreseeable and imminent risk of harm to the client or others. This principle stems from the obligation to protect individuals from potential harm, which may outweigh the ethical commitment to confidentiality in certain circumstances.

When a counselor assesses that a client poses an imminent threat, they are permitted to disclose specific information to relevant authorities, potential victims, or others who can intervene to avert the danger. This duty is grounded in the therapist's responsibility to take reasonable measures to safeguard life and ensure the safety of the community.

This concept stems from landmark legal cases, such as Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, which established the standard that mental health professionals must take appropriate actions if a client expresses intent to harm someone else. In this context, the counselor’s primary obligation is to prevent harm, hence the latitude to breach confidentiality is understood.

Other options describe situations that do not accurately reflect the principle of duty to warn and protect, focusing instead on different aspects of confidentiality or the responsibilities of clients that do not pertain to imminent threats.