Which of the following statements is true about the assertion of privilege?

The assertion of privilege in the context of therapeutic practice refers to the right of clients to keep their communications with a therapist confidential, shielding them from disclosure in legal proceedings.

The statement that privilege cannot be asserted if it comes from a court order accurately reflects the legal principles surrounding privilege. When a court orders the disclosure of information, the therapeutic privilege does not supersede that mandate because the law dictates the circumstances under which privilege can be invoked. If a court has determined that the information must be revealed, the therapist is required to comply with that order, demonstrating that the privilege is not absolute and is subject to legal limitations.

In contrast, the other options inaccurately describe the nature of privilege. It is not universally applicable under any circumstances, nor is it automatically granted to all clients without specific conditions being met. Furthermore, while certain privileges may remain beyond a client’s death, this can vary significantly based on jurisdiction and the nature of the communication, making this statement less universally true. Therefore, acknowledging the dependencies of privilege on legal directives helps clarify why the assertion that it cannot be claimed when a court has issued an order is indeed correct.