Under California law, when a client communicates a serious threat of violence against an identifiable victim, the psychotherapist must:

Prepare for the LPCC Law and Ethics Test 2. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with explanations. Enhance your understanding of ethics and legal standards for effective counseling practice.

When a client makes a serious threat against an identifiable victim, therapists in California have a duty to protect that victim. The action that best satisfies this duty is to report the threat to law enforcement within a 24-hour window so authorities can intervene and help prevent harm. This aligns with California’s Tarasoff-style duty to take reasonable steps to protect the victim, which can include notifying law enforcement and, when appropriate, warning the potential victim. The emphasis on timely reporting reflects the professional obligation to act promptly to reduce risk. Waiting, delaying for “further instruction,” or simply documenting the threat without taking protective action would not meet this legal duty, and while warning the victim is also a protective step, the specified requirement here centers on informing law enforcement within 24 hours.