Which statement accurately reflects a key responsibility of counselors regarding client safety?

Counselors have a critical responsibility to ensure client safety, which includes the duty to warn individuals who may be at risk of harm. This duty arises from the ethical and sometimes legal obligation to protect potential victims when there is a credible threat of violence or serious harm.

When a counselor assesses that a client poses a risk to themselves or others, they must take appropriate actions, which can include notifying law enforcement or warning the potential victim. This principle is rooted in both ethics and legal mandates that prioritize the safety of individuals over confidentiality in situations where there is a clear and imminent danger.

The other options do not align with the professional responsibilities of counselors. Providing therapy alone without collaboration or consultation is not a standard practice meant to enhance client safety. Likewise, counselors are often obligated to report certain crimes, especially those involving harm to minors or vulnerable individuals, and must handle client information with confidentiality and professionalism rather than disclosing it publicly. Thus, the duty to warn stands out as a key ethical responsibility focused on client and community safety.