IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor Practice Exam 2025 – Comprehensive Test Prep

The term "imminent" in the context of the Duty to Warn refers specifically to situations that are likely to happen soon. In mental health and substance abuse counseling, the Duty to Warn is a legal and ethical obligation that counselors have to inform potential victims or authorities if a client poses a serious and immediate risk of harm to themselves or others. The concept of "imminence" indicates that the danger is not just possible or hypothetical, but rather it is foreseeable and may occur in the very near future.

In assessing a client's risk, counselors must evaluate whether the threat is immediate enough to warrant action. This understanding is crucial for mental health professionals, as it influences their decisions about when to breach confidentiality in order to protect individuals who may be at risk. Choosing to intervene based on the notion of an imminent threat reinforces the importance of timely action in preventing harm, which is the essence of this ethical duty.