Legal or Ethical

Work within the MFT scope of practice

Obtain informed consent of adults

Obtain signed informed consent of minors

Obtain informed consent for telemedicine

Disclose fees before onset of treatment

Disclose owners and license info if using a fictitious business name

Display license publically in treatment office

Maintain confidentiality unless mandated to break it

Report suspected child abuse/neglect immediately and file a report within 36 hours

Report suspected elder abuse/neglect immediately and file a report within 2 days

Take “appropriate preventive measures” to avert harm to suicidal clients (Duty to Protect)

Assess and document the assessment of a client's potential for committing violence (Duty to Protect)

Notify local law enforcement when a client has made a specific and serious (i.e., imminent) threat to an identifiable other

Obtain a signed release to share information/records

Manage issues of privilege when records are requested in a legal proceeding

NOT offer or accept payment for referrals

Comply with HIPAA standards if a covered HIPAA entity

Keep clinically sound medical records

Keep records locked and secure at all times

Maintain clinically sound medical records for 7 years or until a minor client is 25

NOT alter medical records

Obtain signed authorization to release records

NOT engage in sexual relations with clients or terminate therapy in order to engage in a sexual relationship with clients

Provide the BBS brochure “Therapy Never Includes Sexual Behavior” to any adult client who reports sex with a previous therapist

NOT engage in false or misleading advertising

NOT alter diagnosis or treatment unit in order to get paid

NOT submit false treatment claims to third-party payers

Avoid dual relationships with clients and supervisees

Avoid sexual relationship with a patient or patient’s immediate family members

NOT treat any person with whom the therapist had a previous sexual relationship

Avoid treatment disruptions by providing contact info, appropriate termination, and a professional will

NOT abandon or neglect a client

Provide appropriate referrals if needed

NOT maintain a therapeutic relationship solely for financial gain

Respect the rights of patients to make their own decisions

Work jointly with clients to develop treatment plans that are consistent with patient treatment goals

Consider appropriateness of electronic therapy and inform clients of potential risks

Provide adequate information about therapy, including potential risks and benefits

Inform clients of availability for emergencies and other contact between sessions

When in another location, provide local emergency resources

Obtain written consent to record a session or permit third-party observation

Inform clients of the limits of confidentiality

Inform clients of the therapist’s professional background

NOT use professional relationships to further their own interests

Continue the therapeutic relationship only if it is reasonably clear the client is benefiting

NOT withhold records because a client has not paid for services

Seek consultation when clinically appropriate

Advocate on behalf of client for necessary services and challenge denial of payments

Discuss appropriate treatment alternatives

Consider potential conflicts when treating multiple parties of a treatment unit

Inform treatment unit of any potential consequences of therapist-client role changes

Document treatment decisions and maintain clinically sound records

Store, transport, and dispose of records in ways that protect confidentiality

Advise patients of information that will likely be disclosed to a third-party payer

Maintain confidentiality except when mandated or permitted by law

Obtain signed authorization from every member of treatment unit (old enough to consent) to release information

Obtain written consent from a patient to use their clinical information in a presentation

Educate group therapy members about confidentiality and encouraged to obtain written agreement from group members

Seek professional assistance for personal problems that impair performance

Stay current with developments in the field through educational activities or clinical experience

Strive to identify and understand the diverse cultural backgrounds of clients

Make efforts to understand how their own values/beliefs affect the process of therapy

NOT exert undue influence on the choice of treatment based on their own values/beliefs

Provide services within their scope of competence as determined by their education skills and training

Avoid treating a client who is receiving treatment from another therapist except by agreement with that therapist

Take reasonable steps to prevent distortion of their research or clinical background

Assist colleagues who are impaired due to substance use, emotional problems, or mental illness

NOT solicit clients from other therapist or encourage clients to leave other therapists

NOT offer or accept payment for referrals

NOT financially exploit clients

Disclose fees and management of fee payment

Give reasonable notice to patients with unpaid balances of their intent to refer to collections or sue

Ordinarily refrain from bartering for services unless it is suitable to accept barter as payment

Truthfully represent clinical services rendered for payment to third-party payers

Accurately represent their qualifications

Not use names that mislead public

Not solicit testimonials from those clients/patients who, due to their particular circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence

Represent themselves as an expert or having a specialization ONLY if they have the training to meet the professional standards in that specialty area

Provide necessary translation or help with communication if it is perceived that communication is not clear due to impairments or fluency issues

Manage office policies

Manage countertransference

NOT give to or receive from clients gifts that impair the integrity or efficacy of the therapeutic relationship

In all circumstances, advise clients that the decision to separate or divorce is the responsibility solely of the client

Articulate “secrets policy” when working with families and couples

Provide services that display cultural competence