The legal term that describes the actions of a therapist based on standard practices in similar circumstances is:

The term that describes the actions of a therapist based on standard practices in similar circumstances is known as the "standard of care." This concept refers to the level and type of care that a reasonably competent practitioner in the same field would provide under similar circumstances. It's crucial in legal contexts to determine whether a therapist acted within the bounds of accepted practices and whether their actions met the expectations established by their profession.

In the context of healthcare, the standard of care is essential in assessing malpractice claims, as it helps establish whether the therapist's actions deviated from what would be expected in the field. This standard can vary based on factors such as the therapist's specialty, the specific situation, and the evolving practices within the profession.

Other terms mentioned, such as duty of care, refer to the obligation of caregivers to provide a certain level of care, but they do not specifically encapsulate the normative practices in the field like the standard of care does. Legal precedent involves judicial decisions that set an example for future cases but does not pertain directly to individual professional conduct. Professional ethics generally refer to the moral principles and standards governing a profession and may inform the standard of care but do not directly define the actions based on those standards.