What does the term "duty to warn" refer to in mental health practice?

The term "duty to warn" specifically refers to the obligation of mental health professionals to inform potential victims when a client poses a credible threat of serious harm to them. This legal and ethical responsibility arises from the need to protect individuals and the community from harm that may arise due to a client's expressed intentions or thoughts of violence. Mental health practitioners must assess the dangerousness of the situation and take appropriate actions, such as notifying law enforcement or the intended victim, to mitigate the risk of harm.

In contrast, the right to confidentiality refers to the clients' expectation that information shared during therapy will remain private, unless there are overriding concerns like imminent danger. Keeping client records secure is an important ethical duty as well, but it does not pertain to situations where there is a threat to another person's safety. Informing clients about their treatment involves the process of sharing details on therapeutic practices, which is a different aspect of mental health practice focused on client engagement rather than on risk assessment and duty to protect others.