title: Another courtroom assault on the confidentiality of the psychotherapist-patient relationship.
abstract: The therapeutic and legal protections afforded by California's psychotherapist-patient privilege have become increasingly eroded in such recent cases as People v. Wharton and Menendez v. Superior Court. In another capital case, People v. Webb, the California Supreme Court further erodes this privilege in regard to the private (confidential) treatment records of a prosecution witness. The Webb case and its possible implications are explored.
authors.affiliation: University of California-Los Angeles School of Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Weinstock
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D003219:Confidentiality / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003415:Crime / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D003617:Dangerous Behavior; D030881:Disclosure; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy