The law protects the relationship between a client and a psychologist, and information cannot be disclosed without written permission.
Exceptions include:
It is the duty of every therapist, psychologist, counselor, and mental health (MH) professional to warn intended victims. Regardless of the fact that the threat was made in a confidential interview... if the professional has reason to believe that a patient has the intention to inflict harm on an identifiable person, or people, MH professionals not only have the right to break confidentiality with the patient, but MUST make every effort to alert the intended victim(s) and law enforcement officers. Read more here: Tarasoff v. Regents of University of California.