Legal Duty of Therapists to Third Parties

By Ralph Slovenko, J.D., Ph.D. | August 1, 1999

Dr. Slovenko is professor of law and psychiatry at Wayne State University Law School. He is an invited member of the Scientific Advisory Board of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation.

One can only guess whether the main line of cases will allow a third-party suit against a therapist in revival of memory of childhood sexual abuse. The trend appears to be against allowing it.

Pages: 1 2 3 4

References
1. Appelbaum P, Zoltek-Jick R (1996), Psychotherapists' duties to third parties: Ramona and beyond. Am J Psychiatry 153(4):457-465.
2. Bowman CG, Mertz E (1996), A dangerous direction: legal intervention in sexual abuse survivor therapy. Harv Law Rev 109(3):549-639.
3. Hale NG (1995), The Rise and Crisis of Psychoanalysis in the United States: Freud and the Americans. New York: Oxford University Press.
4. Herman JL (1992), Trauma and Recovery. New York: Basic Books.
5. Johnston M (1997), Spectral Evidence: The Ramona Case: Incest, Memory, and Truth on Trial in Napa Valley. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.
6. Reik T (1949), The Unknown Murderer. New York: International University Press.
7. Slovenko R (1998), Psychotherapy and Confidentiality: Testimonial Privileged Communication, Breach of Confidentiality, and Reporting Duties. Springfield Ill.: Charles C. Thomas Publisher, Ltd.

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Legal Duty of Therapists to Third Parties

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