Section 24-5-501. Certain communications privileged

   (a) There are certain admissions and communications excluded from evidence on grounds of public policy, including, but not limited to, the following:

   (1) Communications between husband and wife;

   (2) Communications between attorney and client;

   (3) Communications among grand jurors;

   (4) Secrets of state;

   (5) Communications between psychiatrist and patient;

   (6) Communications between licensed psychologist and patient as provided in Code Section 43-39-16;

   (7) Communications between a licensed clinical social worker, clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional counselor and patient;

   (8) Communications between or among any psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, clinical nurse specialist in psychiatric/mental health, licensed marriage and family therapist, and licensed professional counselor who are rendering psychotherapy or have rendered psychotherapy to a patient, regarding that patient's communications which are otherwise privileged by paragraph (5), (6), or (7) of this subsection; and

   (9) Communications between accountant and client as provided by Code Section 43-3-32.

(b) As used in this Code section, the term:

   (1) "Psychotherapy" means the employment of psychotherapeutic techniques.

   (2) "Psychotherapeutic techniques" shall have the same meaning as provided in Code Section 43-10A-3.

Code 1981, § 24-5-501, enacted by Ga. L. 2011, p. 99, § 2/HB 24.