Tatiana Tarasoff

Tatiana Tarasoff was a young woman who became the center of a landmark legal case in the 1970s. After a man, upset over a relationship with her, confided his intention to harm her to his therapist, the therapist informed the authorities but did not warn her directly. Tragically, Tarasoff was killed. The case led to the legal duty for mental health professionals to warn potential victims about threats, establishing the "duty to protect" standard in psychology. This case highlights the balance between patient confidentiality and public safety in mental health practice.