Ethical considerations of clinical use of Miranda-like warnings.

Psychiatrists and other psychotherapists are not generally required to provide Miranda-like warnings to their patients. Even so, many psychotherapists issue such warnings before encountering clinical situations that frequently arise in general clinical practice and have potential involvement with the legal system. Ethical considerations of whether to utilize Miranda-like warnings in common clinical situations such as involuntary hospitalization, the duty to warn and protect, and suspected child abuse reporting, are explored.