An exception to this general rule exists, he said, when disclosure of the client's identity would be tantamount to revealing an otherwise protected confidential communication.
Because of the sensitive nature of the problems for which individuals consult psychotherapists, disclosure of confidential communication made during counseling sessions may cause embarrassment or disgrace.
Both the witness-spouse and the party-spouse hold the spousal communications privilege, so either may invoke it to prevent the other from testifying about a confidential communication made during marriage.
He also contended that the letter he left behind at the crime scene essentially his confession was a confidential communication to his pastor, and therefore inadmissible as evidence.