Law and Ethics Practice Exam 2026 - Free Practice Questions and Study Guide

When a client threatens harm to others during a therapy session, the therapist has a legal obligation to take the threat seriously and to act in a manner that prioritizes the safety of potential victims. This often includes contacting law enforcement. The duty to protect third parties from harm is a recognized principle in the mental health field, emphasizing that the obligation to maintain confidentiality can be overridden when there is a clear and imminent danger to others.

In this scenario, contacting law enforcement allows for an appropriate response to prevent possible harm and fulfills the therapist's responsibility to protect potential victims, adhering to relevant legal and ethical guidelines. Not seeking immediate assistance from law enforcement could result in catastrophic outcomes for those threatened.

Maintaining confidentiality, informing family members without proper evaluation of the situation, or simply discussing the threat further with the client, do not adequately address the immediate danger presented and could jeopardize the safety of others. Thus, the most responsible course of action in this situation is to contact law enforcement as a means of ensuring safety and addressing the threat effectively.