Psychologists study, diagnose, and treat various mental and physical illnesses.
Their purview can extend from helping patients overcome seasons of chronic stress to managing chronic conditions. It's a critical medical field, and it takes a lot of time and resources to achieve certification and the ability to practice.
If you're a professional psychologist, there's a good chance that your professional license is one of your most essential possessions. Holding onto it is paramount for your reputation and future. But, unfortunately, it can be easier to lose your license than you may think. When patients or others in your community file allegations against you with your state's board of licensure, it can be frighteningly simple to end up unlicensed.
Receiving a notification that your state is opening an investigation into your professional actions is one of the most stressful things that can happen to healthcare providers. At the Lento Law Firm, we understand that and are ready to help. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team has helped licensed psychiatrists nationwide protect or restore their licenses. Contact Attorney Joseph D. Lento and his Professional License Defense Team if you require assistance with professional license defense today at 888.535.5686.
Potential Accusations to Be Aware of as a Professional Psychologist
Which types of allegations could potentially ruin your career in one fell swoop?
As a healthcare professional, there are many types of violations and offenses that, in theory, could lead to revocation or suspension.
The most common allegations we see against professional psychologists include:
- Dual relationships. Psychologists often treat patients going through highly vulnerable seasons in their lives. In these cases, the psychologist must avoid forming relationships with patients other than their professional ones — e.g., becoming financially, sexually, or romantically involved with their patients.
- Fraud. If someone can demonstrate that a psychologist billed for extra services, overcharged a patient, or tried to get more money than called for from an insurance company, that can be grounds for psychologist license revocation.
- Abusing drugs or alcohol. If your state's licensing board determines that your ability to practice professionally is impaired by substance use, that can jeopardize your license, too.
- Violating confidentiality. In almost all cases, what patients tell you in private is protected. You could lose your license if you are careless or free with that information.
- Failure to report. On the other side of the same coin, you are responsible for reporting abuse. If a party can demonstrate that you kept something quiet that needed to be reported to the authorities, that could be very serious.
- Misrepresenting your qualifications. There's more than one way to commit fraud! You could be in trouble if you claim to have licenses, certifications, education, or other qualifications you do not have.
This is an incomplete list. For example, if you are convicted of a criminal offense unrelated to your career, your state's licensing board could still strip you of your license.
Now, losing your license isn't automatic. Instead, after reviewing your alleged offenses, your state board could decide to suspend your license, assess a fine, place restrictions on your practice, or issue you a formal reprimand.
None of these consequences is good for your career and reputation, and you'd do best to speak with the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team immediately if any of these seem to be in your future.
However, license revocation is the most likely (and most serious) consequence of these allegations. If you believe your license is in danger, you must immediately retain the services of the experienced lawyers on the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team. Your ability to practice and earn a living could be at risk.
The Lento Law Firm Team Can Help You Through the Disciplinary Process
The specific events you will experience en route to potential license revocation differ from state to state.
It will usually start with the state's psychology licensing board. (In New York, for example, you'd be working with the New York State Office of Professions; in California, you'd be working with the California Board of Psychology.)
The general process you'll experience after your state informs you of an impending investigation includes the following:
- A formal complaint detailing your ostensible offenses.
- A thorough investigation into your alleged actions.
- A consent decree, or an agreement between you, your state, and your licensing board, details how you will respond to the allegations against you. If this happens, you may be able to keep your license.
- A formal hearing. If all parties disagree with a consent decree, you'll have a formal hearing before your licensing board. At the end of this hearing, your board will recommend disciplinary action. This could include license revocation.
The services of the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team, a group of experienced lawyers from all over the nation, will be vital throughout this process. With the support of the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team, you can gather evidence to support your side of the story, negotiate with your state's board to recommend lesser disciplinary actions and take strategic steps to protect your reputation.
Experiencing Issues in the Psychology Profession? Call Attorney Joseph D. Lento
If your reputation and licensure as a psychologist have been questioned, you need the services of the license defense team at the Lento Law Firm.
Why?
Whether your state's licensing board is just initiating an investigation into any allegations against you or you're headed to a formal hearing, what you say matters. How you handle the investigation against you matters. And the defense you can mount, whether in a hearing or as part of an appeal, matters. You could have to start from square one professionally, or you could be able to walk away from this entire experience with few repercussions.
Working with The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team is the best way to achieve a better outcome. The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team can help you gather evidence to support your case, provide experienced representation, support strategic negotiations, and more. As a result, you'll be in an excellent position to move past any risks to your license and be able to practice your profession as a psychologist.
The Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team has helped many psychologists nationwide protect their futures through license investigations. If you require that assistance, contact the Lento Law Firm today by calling 888.535.3686.
