Missouri Revised Statutes

Mo. Rev. Stat. § 337.055 (2026)

Privileged communications, when

✓ current as of May 2026
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  337.055.  Privileged communications, when. — Any communication made by any person to a licensed psychologist in the course of professional services rendered by the licensed psychologist shall be deemed a privileged communication and the licensed psychologist shall not be examined or be made to testify to any privileged communication without the prior consent of the person who received his professional services.

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(L. 1977 H.B. 255 § 10)

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 13 cases, 1981–2018 · leading case: State Ex Rel. Dean v. Cunningham, 182 S.W.3d 561 (Mo. 2006).
State Ex Rel. Dean v. Cunningham, 182 S.W.3d 561 (Mo. 2006). · cites it 4× “Although the psychologist-patient relationship is included in the section 491.060(5) protection afforded to the physician-patient relationship, the confidential nature of the psychologist-patient relationship is also protected in section 337.”
State v. Hawkins, 328 S.W.3d 799 (Mo. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 2× “Communications between a client and professional counselor or psychologist are privileged according to section 337.055 and section 337.540. These privileges exist without the physician-patient privilege stipulation that the communications must pertain to treatment in order to be…”
Marriage of Griggs v. Griggs, 707 S.W.2d 488 (Mo. Ct. App. 1986). · cites it 4× “Although it was not shown that the psychologist who testified at trial was licensed, it does appear that he had received a doctoral degree in psychology which would qualify him for licensing under § 337.”
Gamble v. Hoffman, 732 S.W.2d 890 (Mo. 1987). · cites it 2× “Section 337.055. The rules of privilege in administrative hearings are the same as those effective in civil actions.”
State v. Davis, 186 S.W.3d 367 (Mo. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 2× “Communications between professional counselors and psychologists are privileged according to section 337.055 and section 337.540 and possibly section 630.”
In Re Subpoena Served Upon Jorge S. Zuniga, M.D. In Re Subpoena Served Upon Gary R. Pierce, M.D., 714 F.2d 632 (6th Cir. 1983). “Code § 73-31-29; Mo.Rev.Stat.Ann. § 337.055; Mont.Code Ann.”
State v. Henderson, 824 S.W.2d 445 (Mo. Ct. App. 1991). · cites it 3× “Also, Section 337.055, RSMo 1986 provides a provision protecting communications made to a licensed psychologist.”
Gulley v. Werth, 61 S.W.3d 293 (Mo. Ct. App. 2001). · cites it 3× “060, RSMo, and the psychologist-patient privilege recognized by section 337.055, RSMo, shall be deemed waived in detention proceedings under this chapter.”
State v. Brydon, 626 S.W.2d 443 (Mo. Ct. App. 1981). “[emphasis added] Nor does the communication privilege between a person and a licensed psychologist [Munson] in the course of professional services established by § 337.055 appertain to sustain contention.”
In Re Marriage of Daneshfar, 953 S.W.2d 95 (Mo. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 2× “" Section 337.055 provides that communications made to a licensed psychologist in the course of professional services are privileged and the psychologist may not testify about them without the prior consent of the person receiving the services.”
In re Sebastian, 556 S.W.3d 633 (Mo. Ct. App. 2018). “not reliable because scope of her evaluation was limited to the finite moment in time [and] only for the purpose of referring him into the process" and "could not assist the jury in determining if Sebastian presently met the criteria for commitment under § 632.”
Daneshfar v. Sly, 953 S.W.2d 95 (Mo. Ct. App. 1997). · cites it 2× “” Section 337.055 provides that communications made to a licensed psychologist in the course of professional services are privileged and the psychologist may not testify about them without the prior consent of the person receiving the services.”
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