Skip to Content

Mass. Gen. Laws. Ann. ch. 112, §129A - Confidential communications

Link to the law
This will open in a new window

“Confidential communications”
 
All communications between a licensed psychologist and the individuals with whom the psychologist engages in the practice of psychology are confidential. At the initiation of the professional relationship the psychologist must inform the patient of the following limitations to the confidentiality of their communications. Information might be disclose if the patient presents a clear and present danger to himself or others, or has communicated an explicit threat to kill or inflict serious bodily injury upon a reasonably identified person, has a history of physical violence which is known to the psychologist and the ability to carry out the threat. A psychologist must make reasonable efforts to take one or more of the following actions: communicate a threat of death or serious bodily injury to reasonable identifiable person, notify an appropriate law enforcement agency in the vicinity where the patient or potential victim resides, or arrange for the patient to be hospitalized voluntarily. The psychologist shall only disclose that information which is essential in order to protect the rights and safety of others.
 


Current as of June 2015