Article 45. Evidence · Last amended 1984 · Last verified July 21, 2026
In one sentenceCPLR 4507 places confidential communications between a registered psychologist and a client on the same footing as the attorney-client privilege, while making clear that authorizing disclosure to obtain insurance benefits does not waive that privilege.
Full Text of CPLR 4507
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The confidential relations and communications between a psychologist registered under the provisions of article one hundred fifty-three of the education law and his client are placed on the same basis as those provided by law between attorney and client, and nothing in such article shall be construed to require any such privileged communications to be disclosed. A client who, for the purpose of obtaining insurance benefits, authorizes the disclosure of any such privileged communication to any person shall not be deemed to have waived the privilege created by this section. For purposes of this section:
1. “person” shall mean any individual, insurer or agent thereof, peer review committee, public or private corporation, political subdivision, government agency, department or bureau of the state, municipality, industry, co-partnership, association, firm, trust, estate or any other legal entity whatsoever; and 2. “insurance benefits” shall include payments under a self-insured plan.
Plain-English Summary
CPLR 4507 borrows the attorney-client privilege for psychologists. Confidential communications between a psychologist registered under the Education Law and a client get the same protection the law gives to communications between a lawyer and client, and nothing in the psychologist licensing statute can be read to require disclosure of a privileged communication.
The section adds the same insurance carve-out found elsewhere in this article: a client who authorizes disclosure of a privileged communication solely to get insurance benefits, including payments under a self-insured plan, is not treated as having waived the privilege for any other purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a psychologist-client privilege in New York?
Yes. CPLR 4507 places confidential communications between a registered psychologist and a client on the same basis as the attorney-client privilege.
Does giving my insurance company access to therapy records waive the psychologist privilege?
No. CPLR 4507 provides that authorizing disclosure to obtain insurance benefits does not waive the privilege for any other purpose.
Which psychologists does CPLR 4507 cover?
A psychologist registered under article 153 of the Education Law, in that psychologist's relationship with a client.
How does the psychologist privilege compare to the attorney-client privilege?
CPLR 4507 places it on the same footing, so the protections and the usual routes to waiver track the attorney-client privilege under CPLR 4503.
What counts as an insurance benefit for purposes of the waiver carve-out?
The statute defines it to include payments under a self-insured plan, not only a traditional insurance policy.
Amendment History
Add, L 1968, ch 274, § 2, eff May 14, 1968; amd, L 1984, ch 913, § 2, eff Oct 5, 1984.
Source & verification. Provision text, History, and Advisory
Committee Notes are reproduced verbatim from the Consolidated Laws of New York.
Last verified July 21, 2026.
· Official source
Also known as:psychologist client privilege New Yorktherapist privilege CPLRregistered psychologist confidentiality New York