PRIVACY, CONFIDENTIALITY, AND PRIVILEGE IN PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC RELATIONSHIPS

Abstract

The dilemma faced by mental health professionals in guaranteeing clients' privacy and confidentiality while complying with the legitimate requests of third parties for confidential information is addressed. How that dilemma is played out in relation to child‐abuse reporting laws is examined in terms of the legal and ethical aspects of privacy, confidentiality, and privilege in mental health practice. 1994 American Orthopsychiatric Association