An Investigation: Implications of the Duty to Warn for the Public, Psychologists, and Clients
Introduction
This year will mark the fortieth anniversary of Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California (1976), the case that single-handedly altered the course of psychological practice in the United States. The Tarasoff case would come to document a series of unfortunate events that began with graduate student Prosenjit Poddar and fellow UCLA-Berkeley student, Tatiana Tarasoff. Tarasoff was the romantic interest of Poddar, a woman who became the object of an all-consuming infatuation. Upon rejecting Poddar’s advances, she would become the eventual victim of his violent crime (Campbell & Quinones-Betancourt, 2010).
This case would become …show more content…
During his seventh session, Poddar spoke of violent intentions towards Tarasoff, though she remained unnamed. After this reveal, Moore made a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. He also consulted with his professional peers, contacted the authorities, and recommended Poddar’s commitment to a psychiatric hospital. Moore was then instructed by his superior to take no further action. The results of his effort was a brief detainment of Poddar before the authorities would release him. Poddar never returned to therapy and two months later Tarasoff would be murdered (Campbell & Quinones-Betancourt, 2010).
The preliminary case People v. Poddar (1974) would deem Poddar mentally unfit and unable to face prosecution. This being, the parents of Tatiana Tarasoff began looking for liability elsewhere — and they found their case against the professionals involved with Poddar in the months before the murder. Some of these professionals were immune to the suit, namely the members of the police department, and charges against them were dropped. Instead, the case would be formed against the therapists who were involved with Poddar. The complaint would read as
Introduction
This year will mark the fortieth anniversary of Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California (1976), the case that single-handedly altered the course of psychological practice in the United States. The Tarasoff case would come to document a series of unfortunate events that began with graduate student Prosenjit Poddar and fellow UCLA-Berkeley student, Tatiana Tarasoff. Tarasoff was the romantic interest of Poddar, a woman who became the object of an all-consuming infatuation. Upon rejecting Poddar’s advances, she would become the eventual victim of his violent crime (Campbell & Quinones-Betancourt, 2010).
This case would become …show more content…
During his seventh session, Poddar spoke of violent intentions towards Tarasoff, though she remained unnamed. After this reveal, Moore made a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia. He also consulted with his professional peers, contacted the authorities, and recommended Poddar’s commitment to a psychiatric hospital. Moore was then instructed by his superior to take no further action. The results of his effort was a brief detainment of Poddar before the authorities would release him. Poddar never returned to therapy and two months later Tarasoff would be murdered (Campbell & Quinones-Betancourt, 2010).
The preliminary case People v. Poddar (1974) would deem Poddar mentally unfit and unable to face prosecution. This being, the parents of Tatiana Tarasoff began looking for liability elsewhere — and they found their case against the professionals involved with Poddar in the months before the murder. Some of these professionals were immune to the suit, namely the members of the police department, and charges against them were dropped. Instead, the case would be formed against the therapists who were involved with Poddar. The complaint would read as