What does the Tarasoff requirement primarily establish?

The Tarasoff requirement establishes a legal obligation for mental health professionals to take protective steps when a client poses a credible threat of harm to an identifiable victim. This duty to warn extends not only to informing the potential victim but also to notifying law enforcement if necessary. The landmark case, Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, highlighted that the responsibility to protect the potential victim outweighs the duty of confidentiality owed to the client in cases where there is a clear and imminent threat. This requirement is crucial for ensuring public safety and emphasizes the ethical obligations of professionals in balancing confidentiality with the need to prevent harm.

The focus of the Tarasoff requirement is on the duty to warn, making it clear that when a specific threat is communicated, mental health professionals have a legal responsibility to take action to prevent potential harm, which is why this option is the correct answer.