Tarasoff vs Threats: Considerations for Mental Health Providers Navigating Legal, Ethical and Practical Variables Associated with Preventing Mass Acts of Violence
Protecting patients and communities is a serious concern for counselors and the rest of the mental health community. The process of violence must be interrupted before events occur. Every day, mental health workers must navigate complex ethical territory regarding confidentiality and their Duty to protect potential victims from targeted violent acts. Federal agencies responsible for ensuring privacy and other professional organizations provide guidance to assist in this critical process. A review of multiple factors significant during the application of these standards provides insight to the mental health community tasked with navigating ethical and logistical concerns during critical moments when working with potentially lethal patients. Through a stronger understanding of the differences between general threat and targeted threat assessments, state and ethical limitations and expectations regarding threats, elements present in imminent threats and the power of collective intelligence gained by collaboration, inter-disciplinary care and the reduction of siloed mental health care, and increased community connections, the mental health community can increase its effectiveness at managing potential targeted threats, interrupting the process of violence and decreasing lethal actions. [view article]
Active Shooter Lockdown Practice. In J. Nelson, & L. Wines, Responding to Critical Cases in School Counseling: Building on Theory, Standards, and Experience for Optimal Interventions
Dr. Holland shares critical insights for school counselors on how to maximize the effectiveness of active shooter lockdown practices.
A School Shooting. In J. Nelson, & L. Wines, Responding to Critical Cases in School Counseling: Building on Theory, Standards, and Experience for Optimal Interventions
Dr. Holland provides strategies for school counselors on potential strategies for management of communication and effectiveness of services in the immediate aftermath of a school shooting.
RESEARCH
50 Years of Mass Shootings Examined
The Institute for Violence Research Examines 50 years of mass shootings to evaluate commonalities surrounding events and effectiveness of existing strategies.
Tarasoff v Threats
When should counselors act on their Duty to Warn, and what exactly is an ‘imminent threat’? These concepts and more are examined through the lens of the most exhaustive database of mass shootings to attempt to assist caregivers with the decision making process to protect their client’s confidentiality or protect the public.
The Institute for Violence Research 