ASWB Clinical Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The Tarasoff decision fundamentally shifted the responsibility of mental health professionals, including social workers, when it comes to potential threats of harm to an individual. This landmark ruling established the legal precedent that if a therapist becomes aware of a credible threat to a specific person, they have an obligation to take action to protect that individual.

Therefore, when there is imminent danger, the appropriate response is to notify both the authorities and the intended victims. This proactive approach ensures that not only are protective measures being considered by law enforcement or mental health facilities, but also that the potential victim is informed of the threat against them. The combination of these actions reflects the duty to warn and protect—key components in maintaining ethical and legal standards in social work practice.

While other options contain elements of risk assessment or hospitalization, they do not fulfill the immediacy and dual responsibility highlighted in the Tarasoff decision. Identifying risk factors and seeking hospitalization may be part of a broader assessment and intervention strategy, but without immediate notification of both the potential victim and authorities, the social worker would be failing to fulfill their ethical duty to protect as mandated by this case law.