Can a therapist's duty to protect be negated by the intended victim's knowledge of a threat?

The therapist's duty to protect remains intact regardless of whether the intended victim is aware of the threat. A therapist has an ethical and legal obligation to protect individuals from harm, which takes precedence over the victim's awareness of a potential danger. This duty arises from the understanding that a therapist is in a unique position of trust and responsibility where they are expected to act in the best interests of their clients and any individuals who may be at risk of violence.

Even if the intended victim knows about the threat, the therapist must still take appropriate action to ensure safety, which could include notifying authorities or taking preventative measures. The obligation to maintain confidentiality does not outweigh the necessity of protecting an individual who may be in danger; therefore, the therapist must balance these ethical duties carefully. This remains true across various situations and is not contingent upon the perceived seriousness of the threat or specific legal stipulations that might apply in different jurisdictions.