As a life coach, can I be summoned by an attorney and made to disclose my coaching notes on the client?
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As a life coach, can I be summoned by an attorney and made to disclose my coaching notes on the client?
I’ve been asked this by a potential client and I think the answer is yes but I’m not 100% sure if there is anyway that I can decline to provide sensitive information when it is requested via a subpoena or such. I am the client has stated that he is in the U.S., although Im not sure where. I coach people via Skype etc. all over the world. I am not a medical professional.
Asked on July 1, 2019 under Family Law, North Carolina
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 5 years ago | Contributor
Yes, you can be required to disclose this via subpoena. There is no "life coach" privilege: you are not a licensed social worker or psychiatric therapist, doctor, attorney, or clergy person, and so do not have a privilege to not disclose your notes or observations. If someone shares information or confidences with a non-privileged person, they run the risk of that confidence being disclosed.
(If you ARE in fact a licensed social worker or psychologist and provide life coaching as part of your practice, then you could probably use your therapist's privilege to avoid disclosure.)
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