Sorry, I wasn't trying to be harsh, but when someone offers what seems to be their opinion in response to claims from an authoritative source--as I think APA is, but no not "definitive"--it ticks me off. A "he said, she said" that rests on one person's opinion vs. another isn't very fruitful, IMO, and that's what you get without reference to other than personal opinions. Your post seemed to ignore what I quoted. Since it's a complicated issue, I think people are better served by citing a source beyond a random individual's opinion.

Your comment about psychotherapy notes being for T's reference "only" is inaccurate, as demonstrated in your links about the other possible use of the notes. It struck me as an attempt to say that they're not accessibly by patients.

My points were 2: People don't necessarily have a right to see their T's "psychotherapy" records and that HIPAA isn't the final word on the subject. What I've seen in posts here about records has never made those points, hence misinforming.