Okla. Stat. tit. 59, § 59-1376

Threats of patient to self or others - Patient in custody of

Department of Corrections - Law enforcement purposes.

All communications between a licensed psychologist and the

individual with whom the psychologist engages in the practice of

psychology are confidential. At the initiation of the professional

relationship the psychologist shall inform the patient of the

following limitations to the confidentiality of their

communications. No psychologist, colleague, agent or employee of

any psychologist, whether professional, clerical, academic or

therapeutic, shall disclose any information acquired or revealed in

the course of or in connection with the performance of the

psychologist’s professional services, including the fact,

circumstances, findings or records of such services, except under

the following circumstances:

1. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 2503 of Title 12 of

the Oklahoma Statutes or where otherwise provided by law;

2. Upon express, written consent of the patient;

3. Upon the need to disclose information to protect the rights

and safety of self or others if:

a. the patient presents a clear and present danger to

himself and refuses explicitly or by behavior to

voluntarily accept further appropriate treatment. In

such circumstances, where the psychologist has a

reasonable basis to believe that a patient can be

committed to a hospital pursuant to Section 5-401 of

Title 43A of the Oklahoma Statutes, the psychologist

shall have a duty to seek commitment. The

psychologist may also contact members of the patient’s

family, or other individuals if in the opinion of the

psychologist, such contact would assist in protecting

the safety of the patient,

b. the patient has communicated to the psychologist an

explicit threat to kill or inflict serious bodily

injury upon a reasonably identified person and the

patient has the apparent intent and ability to carry

out the threat. In such circumstances the

psychologist shall have a duty to take reasonable

precautions. A psychologist shall be deemed to have

taken reasonable precautions if the psychologist makes

reasonable efforts to take one or more of the

following actions:

(1) communicates a threat of death or serious bodily

injury to the reasonably identified person,

(2) notifies an appropriate law enforcement agency in

the vicinity where the patient or any potential

victim resides,

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(3) arranges for the patient to be hospitalized

voluntarily, or

(4) takes appropriate steps to initiate proceedings

for involuntary hospitalization pursuant to law,

c. the patient has a history of physical violence which

is known to the psychologist and the psychologist has

a reasonable basis to believe that there is a clear

and imminent danger that the patient will attempt to

kill or inflict serious bodily injury upon a

reasonably identified person. In such circumstances

the psychologist shall have a duty to take reasonable

precaution. A psychologist shall be deemed to have

taken reasonable precautions if the psychologist makes

reasonable efforts to take one or more of the

following actions:

(1) communicates a threat of death or serious bodily

injury to the reasonably identified person,

(2) notifies an appropriate law enforcement agency in

the vicinity where the patient or any potential

victim resides,

(3) arranges for the patient to be hospitalized

voluntarily,
n reasonable precautions if the psychologist makes

reasonable efforts to take one or more of the

following actions:

(1) communicates a threat of death or serious bodily

injury to the reasonably identified person,

(2) notifies an appropriate law enforcement agency in

the vicinity where the patient or any potential

victim resides,

(3) arranges for the patient to be hospitalized

voluntarily,

(4) takes appropriate steps to initiate proceedings

for involuntary hospitalization pursuant to law,

d. nothing contained in subparagraph b of this paragraph

shall require a psychologist to take any action which,

in the exercise of reasonable professional judgment,

would endanger the psychologist or increase the danger

to a potential victim or victims, or

e. the psychologist shall only disclose that information

which is essential in order to protect the rights and

safety of others;

4. In order to collect amounts owed by the patient for

professional services rendered by the psychologist or employees of

the psychologist. Provided, the psychologist may only disclose the

nature of services provided, the dates of services, the amount due

for services and other relevant financial information. If the

patient raises as a defense to said action, a substantive assertion

concerning the competence of the psychologist or the quality of the

services provided, the psychologist may disclose whatever

information is necessary to rebut such assertion;

5. In any proceeding brought by the patient against the

psychologist and in any malpractice, criminal or license revocation

proceeding in which disclosure is necessary or relevant to the claim

or defense of the psychologist;

6. In such other situations as shall be defined by the rules

and regulations of the Board; or

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7. When the patient is an inmate in the custody of the

Department of Corrections or a private prison or facility under

contract with the Department of Corrections, and the release of the

information is necessary:

a. to prevent or lessen a serious and imminent threat to

the health or safety of a person or the public, and it

is to a person or persons reasonably able to prevent

or lessen the threat, including the target of the

threat, or

b. for law enforcement authorities to identify or

apprehend an individual where it appears from all the

circumstances that the individual has escaped from a

correctional institution or from lawful custody.