State statutes vary regarding confidentiality
and rights to protection. For example, in NY,
there is no requirement to inform the partner.
However, I believe that there is a moral
imperative to do so, while respecting the
client's rights to the extent possible.
I would suggest advising the client to speak
with his or her partner. As Tarasoff indicates
that there may be legal ramifications, despite state
statutes, it is also in the best interest of the
therapist to find a mechanism of informing the partner.
A related case entitled,
"Does HIV Affect All? Researchers' Duty to Warn," is
discussed in _Research Ethics: Cases and Commentaries_
(Vol. 3). Published in 1999 by the Association for
Practical and Professional Ethics.
Tara L. Kuther, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
Western Connecticut State University
Danbury, CT 06810
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
