[Dangers and therapist obligations: Canadian perspective].
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the position Canadian therapists must adopt regarding their obligation to protect others against patients' potentially violent actions. This obligation is based on jurisprudence which has been well established in the United States since the Tarasoff case, but which does not apply in Canada.


METHODS
A review of jurisprudence in Canada and recent clinical recommendations. The latter are then discussed in the Canadian context and followed by a range of suggested avenues to explore.


CONCLUSIONS
Professional standards could be established but they should be reviewed on a regular basis and allow flexibility for clinicians.
Melançon
G
G
Université de Montréal, Québec.
Aubut
E J
EJ
D002170:Canada; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D014754:Violence
Dangerosité et obligations du thérapeute: perspective canadienne.