Jaffee v. Redmond: The Supreme Court recognizes a psychotherapist–patient privilege in federal courts.

The recent Supreme Court decision Jaffee v. Redmond (1996) recognized a psychotherapist-patient privilege in federal court. The background of privileged communication laws in general, the federal privileged communications rules in particular, the facts behind Jaffee v. Redmond, and the final court ruling are reviewed. The impact of the decision and possible future directions for the psychotherapistpatient privilege in federal and state courts also are discussed. The recent Supreme Court decision Jaffee v. Redmond ( 996) established that the communications between psychotherapists and patients are privileged in federal courts under certain circumstances. In this article we describe the general provisions of privilege communications law, the Jaffee v. Redmond case, the likely future directions for the psychotherapist-patient privilege in federal courts, and the potential effects this decision may have on state courts. In explaining the impact of the decision, we review the rationale for privileged communication laws in general and the background on federal privileged communication laws in particular.