Are communications between psychiatrist and patient generally excluded from evidence on public policy grounds?

• A. Yes
• B. No
• C. Only in criminal cases
• D. Only with patient consent

Answer: (A)

Communications between a psychiatrist and a patient are protected by the psychotherapist-patient privilege, a rule rooted in public policy to encourage honest therapy and protect mental health privacy. Because of this policy, those confidential communications are generally excluded from evidence unless the patient waives the privilege or an established exception applies. This protection operates in both civil and criminal cases, and it doesn’t require the patient’s consent to be protected—consent can waive the privilege, but the privilege exists independently of consent. So, the best answer is that yes, they are generally excluded on public policy grounds.