N.S. v. Superior Court of Alameda County

Opinion

RIVERA, J.

Petitioner N.S. is a nonminor dependent of the juvenile court. At a hearing held after real party in interest Alameda County Social Services Agency (the Agency) recommended that N.S.’s dependency be dismissed, the Agency sought to have her psychotherapist testify as to confidential communications. The trial court overruled N.S.’s objection, ruling she had waived the psychotherapist-patient privilege by putting her mental state at issue. N.S. seeks a writ of mandate or prohibition prohibiting any inquiry concerning any of the psychotherapist’s confidential communications with…