Under privacy rules, patient access to psychotherapy notes may be restricted. Which statement is true?

• A. Psychotherapy notes are always accessible
• B. Psychotherapy notes must be released to everyone
• C. Access is granted only with court order
• D. Patient access to psychotherapy notes may be restricted

Answer: (D)

Psychotherapy notes have special protection under privacy rules. They’re kept separate from the standard patient records and aren’t automatically subject to the patient’s right of access. Releasing these notes generally requires explicit authorization, and access can be restricted to protect the therapeutic process and sensitive information. Because of this, it’s possible for patient access to psychotherapy notes to be limited or denied unless proper consent or a specific exception applies. The other statements imply universal accessibility or release without exception, or only court-ordered access, which isn’t how psychotherapy notes are treated.