Which situation best illustrates the duty to warn for a professional counselor?

• A. Warn the potential victim or appropriate authorities.
• B. Maintain confidentiality and take no further action.
• C. Cancel the session and write a confidential note.
• D. Refer the client to another professional without action.

Answer: (A)

When a counselor perceives a credible threat from a client toward a specific person, the obligation to warn or protect is activated. This ethical duty prioritizes safety and allows disclosure to the potential victim or appropriate authorities even though it means breaching confidentiality in this narrow, high-risk context. The action of warning the potential victim or contacting authorities is the clearest way to reduce harm and fulfill professional responsibilities to protect individuals from harm.

Keeping confidentiality and taking no action leaves someone at risk and does not meet the safeguarding obligation. Canceling the session and writing a confidential note, or referring the client elsewhere without addressing the risk, also fails to prevent potential harm and does not satisfy the duty to warn or protect.