Jaffee v. Redmond: The Supreme Court recognizes a psychotherapist–patient privilege in federal courts.

The recent Supreme Court decision Jaffee v. Redmond (1996) recognized a psychotherapist–patient privilege in federal court. The background of privileged communication laws in general, the federal privileged communications rules in particular, the facts behind Jaffee v. Redmond, and the final court ruling are reviewed. The impact of the decision and possible future directions for the psychotherapist–patient privilege in federal and state courts also are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)