Tarasoff and Beyond: Legal and Clinical Considerations in the Treatment of Life-Endangering Patients

few psychologists can cite 3 legal cases that have shaped their profession, but everyone is aware of tarasoff. the tarasoff case, and the subsequent statuatory responses in duty to warn or duty to protect, has had a lasting effect on the field. the book briefly describes many of the events that led up to the tragedy. the book briefly discusses the california precedent and subsequent statutes. the book briefly discusses some of the ethical and legal considerations of psychologists when working with such patients. i wish that the author had included greater detail in the historical accounts (especially decision-making processes and errors of clinicians), legal arguments and previous precedents, the nature of the nation-wide legislative responses. i wish that a thorough discussion of how to ethically and legally meet the requirements of tarasoff in a manner that might preserve the therapeutic relationship and perhaps even provide opportunities for growth would have been provided. i wish that a more thorough analysis would have been provided that examines the potential costs (e.g., angry violent patients not discussing their homicidal plans or premature discontinuation of treatment). overall, a worthwhile read and certainly worth the price, used.