Under what circumstance is a therapist's duty to warn activated?

A therapist's duty to warn is specifically activated when a patient makes an explicit threat to kill or injure a particular individual. This legal and ethical obligation arises from the need to protect potential victims from harm. When a therapist becomes aware of a credible threat, they have a responsibility to take necessary steps to warn the intended victim and may also need to notify authorities, depending on the jurisdiction.

The context of mental health history, suspicion of substance abuse, or the general discussions during therapy do not automatically trigger this duty. The essence of the duty to warn operates solely on the basis of identifiable and articulated threats. The therapist's role is to assess and evaluate the risk presented by the threat, aligning with the professional obligation to prioritize safety and manage potential violence.