Opinion ID: 1382761
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: psychiatrist-patient privilege

Text: As a matter of public policy, this state has long provided for the confidentiality of communications between psychiatrist and patient. [8] In 1995, the legislature expanded the list of mental health providers whose communications with patients during the psychotherapeutic relationship are privileged. The mental health privilege now includes confidential communications between patient and psychiatrist, licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, clinical nurse specialist in mental health or psychiatry, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional counselor. [9] The purpose of the privilege is to encourage the patient to talk freely without fear of disclosure and embarrassment, thus enabling the psychiatrist to render effective treatment of the patient's emotional or mental disorders. [10] In recognizing a testimonial privilege for communications between psychotherapist and patient, the United States Supreme Court concluded that the privilege serves important private and public interests by facilitating appropriate treatment and thus promoting the mental health of the country's citizenry. [11] Although the fact that a patient has undergone psychiatric treatment and the dates of the care are not subject to the psychiatrist-patient privilege, [12] confidential communications between the psychiatrist and patient generally are protected. [13] As a result, the patient must waive the privilege either expressly or implicitly as a precondition of discovery. [14] This Court has found an implied waiver at trial when a criminal defendant called a psychiatrist as a witness to testify about the defendant's mental condition. [15] In contrast, we refused to find that a witness in a criminal trial waived the privilege by allowing her psychiatrist to testify in her workers' compensation case. [16]