Via Dr. Ken Pope’s mail list, I saw this item in today’s Copenhagen Post:
A retired military psychologist has been charged with contempt of court for refusing to break a client confidentiality agreement, in a case that involves the alleged torture Afghan war prisoners.
Following a brief appearance in Copenhagen’s Eastern High Court yesterday, Lindholm described the pledge of confidentiality as “inviolable” for her profession.
“If soldiers aren’t allowed to talk with their psychologist about the awful things they either witnessed or were involved in, then they won’t have a chance to get back on their feet,” Lindholm said.
She rejected the notion that her testimony could shed light on the allegations of torture.
“I would break my pledge of confidentiality if I could prevent future crimes. But this is history, and it’s up to others to unravel what happened.”
Read more in the Copenhagen Post.
It is a shame when mental health professionals like Dr. Lindholm and Dr. Eist (whose case I mentioned previously on this blog) find themselves in their own legal peril for trying to protect patient confidentiality, but I admire them both for the stance they have taken in their respective cases.