Tarasoff rule

The Tarasoff rule is a legal principle that requires mental health professionals to protect individuals who may be at risk of harm from their patients. If a therapist believes a patient poses a serious threat to someone else, they have a duty to warn that person or notify law enforcement, even if it conflicts with the patient’s confidentiality. This rule emphasizes the therapist’s responsibility to balance patient privacy with public safety, aiming to prevent harm before it happens.