Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CAADC) Practice Exam

What happens if a therapist fails to uphold their duty to warn?

1. They may receive a warning from their licensing board

2. They could face civil or criminal liability

3. They can be asked to retake their licensing exam

4. They will be required to attend additional training

The correct answer is: They could face civil or criminal liability

The obligation to warn is a critical aspect of a mental health professional's ethical and legal responsibilities. When a therapist becomes aware that a client poses a credible threat of harm to themselves or to others, they have a duty to take appropriate steps to prevent that harm. This might involve notifying the potential victim, law enforcement, or taking other protective actions. If a therapist fails to uphold this duty, they could face civil or criminal liability. This means that if harm does occur as a result of not warning or taking the necessary precautions, the therapist could be held accountable in a court of law. It serves as a legal safeguard to protect individuals from harm, highlighting the importance of the therapist’s role in crisis prevention. Such liability arises not only from potential lawsuits filed by victims or their families but also from criminal charges if a gross neglect of duty is demonstrated. Other options, while they depict possible consequences of professional misconduct, do not address the serious legal ramifications tied directly to the duty to warn. For instance, receiving a warning from a licensing board or having to retake a licensing exam may relate to professional competency or ethical breaches but do not specifically pertain to the failure of the duty to warn. Similarly, being required to attend additional training may be a disciplinary action