California Law and Ethics Practice Exam

What is the purpose of the psychotherapy privilege in social work?

1. To prevent clients from discussing their issues

2. To protect the confidentiality of therapy sessions

3. To allow therapists to disclose client information

4. To limit client access to their records

The correct answer is: To protect the confidentiality of therapy sessions

The psychotherapy privilege primarily serves to protect the confidentiality of therapy sessions between clients and mental health professionals, including social workers. This privilege is rooted in the belief that a trusting and open therapeutic environment is essential for effective treatment. By safeguarding the confidentiality of discussions that occur during therapy, clients can feel secure in sharing personal and sensitive information without fear of it being disclosed to outsiders. This protection encourages honesty in therapy, which ultimately contributes to better outcomes for clients. While some other options may appear related, they do not accurately reflect the fundamental purpose of the psychotherapy privilege. For instance, preventing clients from discussing their issues would undermine the very essence of therapy and create barriers to healing. Allowing therapists to disclose client information contradicts the confidentiality that the privilege aims to uphold. Lastly, limiting client access to their records goes against the client’s rights to understand and engage with their treatment, which is also a key element of ethical social work practice. Hence, the focus on confidentiality is what clearly defines the purpose of the psychotherapy privilege in social work.