Licensing board complaint

1. Janet has been seen by you for treatment of depression. On intake, she disclosed that she was in AA and had been sober for 6 months. Janet seems to be happy with her progress, but after a few sessions, she seems to be no communicative and upset. After six sessions, she discontinues therapy with you. You learn that she has engaged another counselor who treats alcohol use and co-occurring disorders. This morning you received notice from your licensing board that Janet filed a complaint against you alleging that you attempted to treat Janet’s addiction to alcohol and that you did not have the expertise necessary to do so. You are a licensed professional counselor but you have not obtained training in addictions. Based on this information, answer the following questions:

1. Does Janet have a valid complaint? Why or why not?

2. How would you respond to the Licensing board complaint?

3. How would you avoid this type of complaint in the future?

This discussion question meets the following CACREP Standard: 2.F.1.i.  Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.

2. What special precautions or practices should a private practitioner adopt in order to minimize professional liability and ensure that their treatment of clients remains soundly within the boundaries of professional practice standards? The American Counseling Association as well as individual state counseling associations (i.e., ICA, AzCA) provide a variety of resources to clinicians. Choose either the ACA or your state’s counseling association. What are its member benefits, activities, services to members, and current issue? How could membership be especially helpful to the private practitioner? Summarize what the ACA Code of Ethics says about the following: report writing, record keeping, and service reimbursement.

This discussion question meets the following CACREP Standard: 5.C.2.m. Record keeping, third party reimbursement, and other practice and management issues in clinical mental health counseling.

3. What special precautions or practices should a private practitioner adopt in order to minimize professional liability and ensure that their treatment of clients remains soundly within the boundaries of professional practice standards? The American Counseling Association as well as individual state counseling associations (i.e., ICA, AzCA) provide a variety of resources to clinicians. Choose either the ACA or your state’s counseling association. What are its member benefits, activities, services to members, and current issue? How could membership be especially helpful to the private practitioner? Summarize what the ACA Code of Ethics says about the following: report writing, record keeping, and service reimbursement.

This discussion question meets the following CACREP Standard: 5.C.2.m. Record keeping, third party reimbursement, and other practice and management issues in clinical mental health counseling.

4. Describe in detail situations in which referring your client to a different counselor and/or agency should be considered. If referral is not an option, what ethical alternatives could you identify to continue to work with this client? Include references to the ACA and/or NAADAC code of ethics to support your response.

5. Sheila came to your office about 8 months ago seeking counseling. She stated that she, “hoped to save her marriage.” After a few sessions with Sheila, you suggested that couples counseling might be helpful, but her husband, Roy, refused to participate. Three months ago, Sheila and Roy went through a very nasty breakup of their marriage, and now you have been subpoenaed to produce all of your records pertaining to Sheila’s treatment. Sheila has told you not to comply with the subpoena.

What should you do? Why?

Describe the specific steps you would take in responding to the subpoena.

1. Janet has been seen by you for treatment of depression. On intake, she disclosed that she was in AA and had been sober for 6 months. Janet seems to be happy with her progress, but after a few sessions, she seems to be no communicative and upset. After six sessions, she discontinues therapy with you. You learn that she has engaged another counselor who treats alcohol use and co-occurring disorders. This morning you received notice from your licensing board that Janet filed a complaint against you alleging that you attempted to treat Janet’s addiction to alcohol and that you did not have the expertise necessary to do so. You are a licensed professional counselor but you have not obtained training in addictions. Based on this information, answer the following questions:

1. Does Janet have a valid complaint? Why or why not?

2. How would you respond to the Licensing board complaint?

3. How would you avoid this type of complaint in the future?

This discussion question meets the following CACREP Standard: 2.F.1.i.  Ethical standards of professional counseling organizations and credentialing bodies, and applications of ethical and legal considerations in professional counseling.

2. What special precautions or practices should a private practitioner adopt in order to minimize professional liability and ensure that their treatment of clients remains soundly within the boundaries of professional practice standards? The American Counseling Association as well as individual state counseling associations (i.e., ICA, AzCA) provide a variety of resources to clinicians. Choose either the ACA or your state’s counseling association. What are its member benefits, activities, services to members, and current issue? How could membership be especially helpful to the private practitioner? Summarize what the ACA Code of Ethics says about the following: report writing, record keeping, and service reimbursement.

This discussion question meets the following CACREP Standard: 5.C.2.m. Record keeping, third party reimbursement, and other practice and management issues in clinical mental health counseling.

3. What special precautions or practices should a private practitioner adopt in order to minimize professional liability and ensure that their treatment of clients remains soundly within the boundaries of professional practice standards? The American Counseling Association as well as individual state counseling associations (i.e., ICA, AzCA) provide a variety of resources to clinicians. Choose either the ACA or your state’s counseling association. What are its member benefits, activities, services to members, and current issue? How could membership be especially helpful to the private practitioner? Summarize what the ACA Code of Ethics says about the following: report writing, record keeping, and service reimbursement.

This discussion question meets the following CACREP Standard: 5.C.2.m. Record keeping, third party reimbursement, and other practice and management issues in clinical mental health counseling.

4. Describe in detail situations in which referring your client to a different counselor and/or agency should be considered. If referral is not an option, what ethical alternatives could you identify to continue to work with this client? Include references to the ACA and/or NAADAC code of ethics to support your response.

5. Sheila came to your office about 8 months ago seeking counseling. She stated that she, “hoped to save her marriage.” After a few sessions with Sheila, you suggested that couples counseling might be helpful, but her husband, Roy, refused to participate. Three months ago, Sheila and Roy went through a very nasty breakup of their marriage, and now you have been subpoenaed to produce all of your records pertaining to Sheila’s treatment. Sheila has told you not to comply with the subpoena.

What should you do? Why?

Describe the specific steps you would take in responding to the subpoena.