The ruling that requires breach of confidentiality to ensure safety stems from which decision?

The requirement to breach confidentiality to ensure safety is rooted in the Tarasoff decision. This landmark case established the legal precedent that mental health professionals have a duty to warn individuals who may be harmed by a patient. In the case, a therapist failed to inform a potential victim about a threat made by a patient, which ultimately led to tragic consequences.

The court determined that protecting potential victims outweighed the obligation of confidentiality owed to the patient. This ruling emphasizes the ethical obligation of therapists to take proactive measures when there is a credible threat of harm, marking a significant shift in how confidentiality is approached in therapeutic settings. This decision not only highlights the importance of client safety but also sets a standard for mental health practice that prioritizes public safety over strict confidentiality in cases where such danger is present.