In Re Kristine W.
San Diego County Health & Human Services Agency v. Kristine W.
Opinion
Opinion
McDONALD, J.
Juvenile court dependent Kristine W. appeals the court’s order permitting the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency (the Agency) to receive certain information from her therapist regarding her therapy. She contends the court was not authorized to disregard her invocation of the psychotherapist-patient privilege. We affirm.
Background
Kristine’s dependency proceedings commenced in August 2000, when she was 16 years old, because her father, John W. (Father), physically and sexually abused her and physically abused her brother, Michael W. Kristine was detained and placed with her paternal grandparents. That placement and a subsequent placement with paternal uncle Matthew W. were unsuccessful. Kristine was then detained in Polinsky Children’s Center. In March 2001 the court ordered her placed in foster care.
In April 2001 Kristine began an extended trial visit with her paternal uncle Patrick W. Her placement was conditioned on her participation in counseling and SAFE Paths, attending school, and following her uncle’s rules. Kristine had run away from previous placements, skipped school, refused to follow rules, had angry outbursts, and engaged in…