DANGEROUS SITUATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS OF T HE THERAPIST

Objective: To clarify the position Canadian therapists must adopt rega rding their obligation to protect others against patients' potentially violent actions. This obligation is based on jurisprudence which has been well established in the United States since the Tarasoff case, bu t which does not apply in Canada. Method: A review of jurisprudence in Canada and recent clinical recommendations. The latter are then discu ssed in the Canadian context and followed by a range of suggested aven ues to explore. Conclusion: Professional standards could be establishe d but they should be reviewed on a regular basis and allow flexibility for clinicians.