Avoid Licensing Pitfalls: Protect Your Mental Health Credentials in North Dakota

Your license is more than a piece of paper—it represents your dedication, your career, and everything you've worked for. When it's on the line, it's easy to feel like everything is unraveling. But don't lose hope. You have choices and a way forward.

The Lento Law Firm protects your mental health license in North Dakota and nationwide. We scrutinize the allegations, build a strong defense, and fight to protect your license. We bring your version of the story to life. Call us at 888.535.3686 or fill out our confidential consultation form. With extensive knowledge and steadfast dedication, the Professional License Defense Team fights for their clients.

Who's Setting the Standards?

North Dakota stands out with its three-tiered licensure system for counselors. Start as a Licensed Associate Professional Counselor (LAPC) to gain supervised experience, then level up to a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) for full practice rights. For those aiming higher, the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) offers additional perks, though it's not required for practice. The North Dakota Board of Counselor Examiners licenses and regulates counselors.

Marriage and Family Therapists are regulated by the North Dakota Marriage & Family Therapy Licensure Board (NDMFTLB).

And if you're a psychologist, the North Dakota State Board of Psychologist Examiners licenses practitioners tracks their education and enforces legal and ethical standards.

Missteps That Can Threaten Your Career

We all have our slip-ups, but some mistakes can really set you back. Here are some common causes of license issues:

• Unprofessional Behavior: The pressure builds, the air gets thick, and before you know it, a word slips, a glance lingers too long, a moment tilts just a little off-center. Maybe it's nothing—until it isn't. A shared detail that shouldn't have been spoken, a conversation that turns sideways—suddenly, you're staring down consequences that weren't even on your radar.
• Substance Abuse: What starts as a coping mechanism can slowly creep into your career and impact your ability to perform. The good news? There's no shame in seeking help. Many professionals have walked this path and come out stronger, with support systems in place to help recover without losing their careers.
• Fraudulent Activity: Sometimes, a small shortcut—like adjusting a billing code or ignoring a minor recordkeeping error—can lead to accusations of fraud. Even if it's unintentional, sloppy paperwork can raise questions.
• Client Disputes: Because therapy brings out strong emotions, people might misinterpret what you say or do. Imagine a client confesses feelings for you, and you respond with careful, clinical boundaries—but later, they file a complaint claiming you led them on. Or maybe a session gets heated, and in an attempt to push for a breakthrough, you say something blunt—only to have it reported as insensitive or harmful. These moments can turn into licensing board reviews fast, and the key is to handle them professionally so things don't blow up.
• Messy Documentation: After a busy day of sessions, it's easy to let paperwork slide. But incomplete paperwork doesn't automatically mean you're unfit to practice. If your records are being questioned, you have the right to explain, clarify, and push back against unfair accusations.
• Legal Troubles: An old misstep doesn't mean your career is over. Maybe an old social media post or a text is being held against you. But by addressing it head-on and showing a commitment to professional standards, you can move past it. Your past doesn't define your ability to practice today.
• Crossing Professional Lines: The therapist-client relationship relies on trust, but when you form a genuine connection, it's easy to overstep boundaries. Whether it's sharing too much personal information, offering inappropriate physical comfort, or trying to help with finances, even the best intentions can lead to ethical problems. And a romantic relationship with a client? It's not just frowned upon—it's a serious liability. But no matter the misstep, the game isn't over. We're here to stand up for you.

A quick response can prevent a minor issue from turning into a huge problem.

The Next Steps

Catching a problem at the outset allows you to stop an issue from escalating. Whether it's a direct complaint or a heads-up from a colleague, now's the time to address the root cause and fix the issue before it spirals.

If that's no longer an option, here is a list of mitigating factors from the Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board after a complaint is filed:

• Resulted from a simple error. Self-reported
• Admission of wrong and acceptance of responsibility Appropriate degree of remorse or concern
• Good intent
• Rehabilitative potential
• Effort to ameliorate the harm, make restitution, or mitigate the violation Effort to ensure that future violation does not occur
• Before case review, voluntary completion of CEs in the area of the violation
• Cooperation with investigation or request for information
• Lack of experience at the time of violation

Conversely, here are some aggravating factors:

• Culpability of the licensee (intentional or premeditated, due to blatant disregard or gross neglect)
• Harm (physical, emotional, mental, or economic) and severity thereof
• Increased potential for harm or risk to the public
• Prior written warnings from the supervisor, governmental agency, or official regarding standards of practice, statutes, or regulations pertaining to the licensee's practice
• Prior misconduct of a similar or related nature Likelihood of future misconduct of a similar nature Violation of a board order
• Failure to implement remedial measures to correct issues arising from the misconduct
• Lack of rehabilitative potential
• Lack of remorse
• Motive
• Negative impact on client or former client, on the profession
• The existence of addiction, such as alcohol, drugs, or pornography, diminish the likelihood of rehabilitation

This isn't a fun process, and it might be a bumpy ride, but knowing the guidelines and having the right team will help you tackle the challenges and keep your standing intact.

Your Rights During Every Phase

Your rights are key to your defense, but you've got to know them.

• Understand the Allegations
  The accusations are on the table, and now you know exactly what's being said. While it might feel like a lot to handle, having all the facts puts you in a stronger position. This is where your journey to take back control begins. [Keep in mind: It's better not to reach out to the complainant after the complaint is filed. That can seem like an attempt to influence the process].
• Present Your Side
  This is your chance to tell your story. Gather all the evidence—texts, emails, records, and statements from witnesses. Your colleagues and clients could be your greatest supporters. Set the record straight.
• Ace the Hearing
  Your witnesses are prepped, and one by one, they take the stand, sharing testimonies that help shield you from the claims against you.
• Your first witness is a colleague, vouching for the standards you've upheld in your work. You notice a slight change in the Board's demeanor, their stance softening as they hear the testimony.
• Then, your attorney presents key pieces of evidence—emails, client records, and notes outlining your steps in handling the situation. The Board members examine each document carefully, and you begin to see your case come into clearer focus.
• Finally, it's your turn. You take a steadying breath, step forward, and share your version of the events. The room quiets as your words take shape, knowing that what you say could shape the outcome of your case.

Understanding the process is key, but it's not about crossing your fingers and hoping. It's about setting yourself up for success, and that means having the right people guiding you.

The Potential Fallout

If the charges hold up, you could be looking at some real consequences:

• Required Education
  If they think communication was the issue, expect to be sent back to the basics—active listening, conflict resolution, staying steady under stress. You might also be asked to attend sessions on ethics, professional boundaries, or industry standards—such as workshops on maintaining proper relationships with clients.
• Formal Warnings
  Receiving a formal warning could cause others to question your trustworthiness, including colleagues or clients. This could also hinder future job prospects and potentially lead to additional legal complications down the line.
• Restrictions on Your License
  You may still have your license but with conditions. The board could dictate who you can see, how you practice, or require regular oversight.

To illustrate, you may no longer be permitted to treat high-risk individuals, such as those with severe mental health issues or substance abuse problems. After years of working with this population and helping them recover, you could find yourself restricted to working with clients who have less severe needs—those who are relatively stable.

• Suspended License
  A suspension puts everything on pause—your career, income, and ability to serve clients come to a halt. You'll be left waiting for the opportunity to demonstrate that you can resume your practice. In the meantime, referrals dry up, and clients who once relied on you may have to move on. The longer it lasts, the harder it can be to rebuild your reputation and get back to where you were.
• License Revocation
  In the most severe case, losing your license can mark the end of your career and professional standing. Once revoked, it is extremely difficult to regain your license, placing your future in the field in serious jeopardy.

It's not only your profession that's at risk; it's your patients—every individual you've guided could be left without support.

Trust The Lento Law Firm to Defend Your Professional License

When the pressure's on, knowing the ins and outs is essential. We're here to guide you through the process. Here's how we support you:

• We Respond Quickly
  When you contact us, it's gone time. We're on it, building a game plan that's as unique as you. We move fast, we move smart, and we make sure you've got what you need to win this.
• We Dig Deeper
  We dive deep, dissect the facts, and craft a defense that resonates. No one-size-fits-all here.
• We Focus on the Fine Details
  It's the small stuff that counts, and we're all over it. Every detail is combed through, and every piece of evidence is gathered.
• We Fight with Determination
  If a hearing is necessary, we're on it. We peel back layers and expose cracks in the story that will shatter the illusion. We read the room, knowing every question we ask is one step closer to making sure your side is heard.
• We Take a Strategic Approach
  We tune in to what matters most. When negotiation is the route, we know how to play it right, crafting a strategy that satisfies both your goals and the board's standards. Our mission is to protect your future and keep your career on course.
• We Don't Back Down
  Even when the odds seem stacked against you, we're relentless in our pursuit of justice. We'll explore every avenue and stay focused on achieving a favorable outcome when others might throw in the towel.

We tell a powerful story that gets results.

Ready to Go to Battle for You—the Lento Law Firm

Keep your career intact—let the Lento Law Firm fight for you in North Dakota. We are experienced in defending professionals like you across the country.

Reach out today at 888.535.3686 or fill out our confidential consultation form to get started. Don't carry this burden alone—let us help you create a defense that ensures the best possible outcome. Let the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team fight for you..