Privileged communication does NOT protect:

Privileged communication is a legal concept that protects certain communications between a client and a professional from being disclosed without the client's consent. However, there are exceptions to this protection.

In the case of child abuse and neglect situations, privileged communication does not apply. This is because the law prioritizes the welfare and safety of children over the confidentiality of communications. Professionals are generally mandated reporters, meaning they are required by law to report any suspected cases of child abuse or neglect to the appropriate authorities. This obligation overrides the privilege associated with client disclosures.

In contrast, clients' personal and sensitive disclosures, issues of unfaithfulness in couple's therapy, and legal proceedings concerning client records do fall under the realm of privileged communication, as these matters typically do not invoke exceptions to that privilege in the same manner as cases of child abuse. Thus, the distinction here emphasizes the legal and ethical responsibilities professionals hold in protecting vulnerable populations, like children, as a priority over maintaining confidentiality in certain sensitive contexts.