(a) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

Terms Used In Tennessee Code 33-3-201

  • Mental illness: means a psychiatric disorder, alcohol dependence, or drug dependence, but does not include intellectual disability or other developmental disabilities as defined in title 52. See Tennessee Code 33-1-101
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
  • Serious emotional disturbance: means a condition in a child who currently or at any time during the past year has had a diagnosable mental, behavioral, or emotional disorder of sufficient duration to meet psychiatric diagnostic criteria that results in functional impairment that substantially interferes with or limits the child's role or functioning in family, school, or community activities and includes any mental disorder, regardless of whether it is of biological etiology. See Tennessee Code 33-1-101
(1) “Counseling center” means any nonprofit service operated at least partially with volunteer assistance that provides counseling, assistance or guidance, either in person or by telephone, to persons with mental illness or serious emotional disturbance; and
(2) “Counselor” means any psychiatrist, psychologist, licensed psychologist with health service provider designation, certified or licensed marital and family therapist, certified or licensed professional counselor, certified or licensed social worker, or other professional trained in the field of psychiatry or psychology or any nonprofessional person acting under the guidance or supervision of the professionals.
(b) A counselor, while acting within the scope of responsibilities assigned by a counseling center, is not liable civilly or criminally for the suicide or attempted suicide of any person consulting the counselor.
  Previous section
Next section  
 Part 2 Contents