| Privileged communication and expert witness | | | | relationship. And recognize how you might be in that |
| testimony are two areas that battered women and | | | | relationship with respect to your own |
| abused men may come to know in their divorce | | | | psychotherapeutic process. |
| proceedings. However, the way in which these two | | | | More than likely, you'd be concerned, either consciously |
| interact is not always clear. And unfortunately for | | | | or unconsciously, about filtering your communication |
| some the consequences pose a significant loss. | | | | knowing that it can get into the hands of |
| This article is intended to help you clarify the way in | | | | others-especially your opposition. |
| which these two concepts interact and the impact it | | | | Some people think you can have privilege here even |
| has on you. | | | | though you let it go there. Not necessarily so. Once |
| Privileged communication is sacred and is an essential | | | | you let it go, it is pretty much gone if not technically, |
| part of the vehicle in which psychotherapeutic process | | | | then therapeutically. |
| evolves. | | | | If you feel you want a therapist to show your best |
| Witness testimony is the presentation of an individual's | | | | side over using that therapeutic relationship for your |
| observations, knowledge of, and perspective with | | | | own personal growth, then having them testify on your |
| respect to an issue and/or individual under scrutiny. | | | | behalf would be in order. However, if your skeletons |
| Once testimony is given by someone you previously | | | | have made their way into that relationship or if you |
| had privileged communication with, imagine what | | | | want a therapeutic alliance in which you can heal and |
| happens to the confidentially of the therapeutic | | | | grow, you will not want to waive your privilege. |