LMFT Ethics Code

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="1552c963.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="mailto:wmeades@gmail.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:wmeades@gmail.com"><U><IMG SRC="6799c150.png" border=0 width="156" height="21" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://practicalspirituality.wordpress.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://practicalspirituality.wordpress.c"><U>Practical Spirituality Blog</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="counseling.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pastoral Counseling"><U>Making an Appointment</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="printableform.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Forms"><U>Information Form</U></A> </div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="map.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Directions to Office"><U>Map to My Office</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="speaking.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Speaking and Teaching"><U>Speaking and Teaching</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="enneagram.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Enneagram"><U>The Enneagram</U></A> <A HREF="enneagram.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Enneagram"><U> </U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.wfmhc.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.wfmhc.org/"><U>Waco Foundation for Mental Health Care</U></A></div> <div> <B>____________________</B></div> <div> <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Practical Spirituality"><U>Home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="aboutme.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="About Me and My Work"><U>About Me and My Work</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="personalspiritualdevelopment.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Personal and Spiritual Development"><U>Personal and Spiritual Development</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="helpfularticles.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Helpful Articles"><U>Helpful Articles</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="booksummaries.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Book Summaries"><U>Book Summaries</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="counseling.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pastoral Counseling"><U>Pastoral Counseling</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="premarriage.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Premarriage Counseling"><U>Premarriage Counseling</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id332.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Practical Spirituality Newsletter"><U>Practical Spirituality Newsletter</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="clericus.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Clericus"><U>Clericus</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id523.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DS Parenting Class"><U>DS Parenting Class</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://centexintergroup.org/schedule/schedule_local.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://centexintergroup.org/schedule/sch"><U>Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings Schedule</U></A></div> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <div> <B>SUBCHAPTER C. RENDERING PROFESSIONAL THERAPEUTIC SERVICES AND </B></div> <div> <B>CODE OF ETHICS</B> </div> <div> <B>§801.41.</B> </div> <div> <B>Purpose and Scope.</B> </div> <div> (a) </div> <div> The purpose of this subchapter is to provide guidelines regarding the rendering </div> <div> of professional therapeutic services and to implement the provisions of the Act, concerning a </div> <div> code of <B>ethics</B>. </div> <div> (b) </div> <div> The scope of this subchapter establishes standards of professional and ethical </div> <div> conduct required of a therapist.</div> <div> <B>§801.42.</B> </div> <div> <B>Rendering Professional Therapeutic Services. </B>The following are professional </div> <div> therapeutic services which are part of marriage and family therapy when the services involve </div> <div> the professional application of family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of the </div> <div> services: </div> <div> (1) </div> <div> marriage therapy which utilizes systems, methods, and processes which </div> <div> include interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, developmental, psychodynamic, and </div> <div> affective methods and strategies to achieve resolution of problems associated with cohabitation </div> <div> and interdependence of adults living as couples through the changing marriage life cycle. </div> <div> These family system approaches assist in stabilizing and alleviating mental, emotional, or </div> <div> behavioral dysfunctions of either partner; </div> <div> (2) </div> <div> sex therapy which utilizes systems, methods, and processes which </div> <div> include interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, developmental, psychodynamic, and </div> <div> affective methods and strategies in the resolution of sexual disorders; </div> <div> (3) </div> <div> family therapy which utilizes systems, methods, and processes which </div> <div> include interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, developmental, psychodynamic, </div> <div> affective, and family systems methods and strategies with families to achieve mental, </div> <div> emotional, physical, moral, educational, spiritual, and career development and adjustment </div> <div> through the changing family life cycle. These family system approaches assist in stabilizing </div> <div> and alleviating mental, emotional, or behavioral dysfunctions of a family member; </div> <div> (4) </div> <div> child therapy which utilizes systems methods and processes which </div> <div> include interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, developmental, psychodynamic, </div> <div> affective and family systems and strategies with families to achieve mental, emotional, </div> <div> physical, moral, educational, spiritual, and career development and adjustment through the </div> <div> changing family life cycle. These family system approaches assist in the stabilizing and </div> <div> alleviating mental, emotional, or behavioral dysfunctions of a child; </div> <div> (5) </div> <div> play therapy which utilizes systems, methods, and processes which </div> <div> include play and play media as the child’s natural medium of self-expression, and verbal </div> <div> tracking of the child’s play behaviors as part of the therapist’s role in helping children </div> <div> overcome their social, emotional, and mental problems; </div> <div> (6) </div> <div> individual psychotherapy which utilizes systems, methods, and processes </div> <div> which include interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, developmental, psychodynamic, </div> <div> affective and family systems methods and strategies to achieve mental, emotional, physical, </div> <div> social, moral, educational, spiritual, and career development and adjustment through the </div> <div> developmental life span. These family system approaches assist in stabilizing and alleviating </div> <div> mental, emotional or behavioral dysfunctions in an individual; </div> <div> (7) </div> <div> divorce therapy which utilizes systems, methods, and processes which </div> <div> include interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive behavioral, developmental, psychodynamic, </div> <div> affective and family system methods and strategies with families to achieve mental, emotional, </div> <div> physical, moral, educational, spiritual, and career development and adjustment through the </div> <div> changing family life cycle. These family system approaches assist in stabilizing and alleviating </div> <div> mental, emotional, or behavioral dysfunctions of the partners; </div> <div> (8) </div> <div> mediation which utilizes systems, methods, and processes to facilitate </div> <div> resolution of disputes between two or more dissenting parties, including but not limited to any </div> <div> issues in divorce settlements, parenting plan modifications, parent-child conflicts, pre-marital </div> <div> agreements, workplace conflicts, and estate settlements. Mediation involves specialized </div> <div> therapeutic skills that foster cooperative problem solving, stabilization of relationships, and </div> <div> amicable agreements. Court appointed mediation requires specialized training; </div> <div> (9) </div> <div> group therapy which utilizes systems methods and processes which </div> <div> include interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, developmental, psychodynamic, and </div> <div> affective methods and strategies to achieve mental, emotional, physical, moral, educational, </div> <div> spiritual, and career development and adjustment throughout the life span; </div> <div> (10) </div> <div> chemical dependency therapy which utilizes systems methods and </div> <div> processes which include interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, developmental, </div> <div> psychodynamic, affective methods and strategies, and 12-step methods to promote the healing </div> <div> of the client; </div> <div> (11) </div> <div> rehabilitation therapy which utilizes systems methods and processes </div> <div> which include interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, developmental, psychodynamic, </div> <div> and affective methods and strategies to achieve adjustment to a disabling condition and to </div> <div> reintegrate the individual into the mainstream of society; </div> <div> (12) </div> <div> referral services which utilizes systems methods and processes which </div> <div> include evaluating and identifying needs of clients to determine the advisability of referral to </div> <div> other specialists, and informing the client of such judgment and communicating as requested or </div> <div> deemed appropriate to such referral sources. This includes social studies and family </div> <div> assessments of the individual within the family; </div> <div> (13) </div> <div> diagnostic assessment which utilizes the knowledge organized in the </div> <div> Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) as well as the International </div> <div> Classification of Diseases (ICD) as part of their therapeutic role to help individuals identify </div> <div> their emotional, mental, and behavioral problems when necessary; </div> <div> (14) </div> <div> psychotherapy which utilizes systems methods and processes which </div> <div> include interpersonal, cognitive, cognitive-behavioral, developmental, psychodynamic, and </div> <div> affective methods and strategies to assist clients in their efforts to recover from mental or </div> <div> emotional illness;<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> (15) </div> <div> hypnotherapy which utilizes systems methods and processes which </div> <div> include the principles of hypnosis and post-hypnotic suggestion in the treatment of mental and </div> <div> emotional disorders and addictions; </div> <div> (16) </div> <div> biofeedback which utilizes systems methods and processes which include </div> <div> electronic equipment to monitor and provide feedback regarding the individual's physiological </div> <div> responses to stress. The therapist who uses biofeedback must be able to prove academic </div> <div> preparation and supervision in the use of the equipment as a part of the therapist's academic </div> <div> program or the substantial equivalent provided through continuing education; </div> <div> (17) </div> <div> assessment and appraisal which utilizes systems methods and processes </div> <div> which include formal and informal instruments and procedures, for which the therapist has </div> <div> received appropriate training and supervision in individual and group settings for the purposes </div> <div> of determining the client's strengths and weaknesses, mental condition, emotional stability, </div> <div> intellectual ability, interests, aptitudes, achievement level and other personal characteristics for </div> <div> a better understanding of human behavior, and for diagnosing mental problems; and </div> <div> (18) </div> <div> consultation which utilizes systems, methods, and processes which </div> <div> include the application of specific principles and procedures in consulting to provide assistance </div> <div> in understanding and solving current or potential problems that the consultee may have in </div> <div> relation to a third party, whether individuals, groups, or organizations. </div> <div> <B>§801.43.</B> </div> <div> <B>Professional Representation.</B> </div> <div> (a) </div> <div> A therapist shall not misrepresent any professional qualifications or associations. </div> <div> (b) </div> <div> A therapist shall not misrepresent any agency or organization by presenting it as </div> <div> having attributes which it does not possess. </div> <div> (c) </div> <div> A therapist shall not make unreasonable, misleading, deceptive, fraudulent, </div> <div> exaggerated, or unsubstantiated claims about the efficacy of any services. </div> <div> (d) </div> <div> A therapist shall not encourage, or within the therapist’s power, allow a client to </div> <div> hold exaggerated ideas about the efficacy of services provided by the therapist. </div> <div> <B>§801.44.</B> </div> <div> <B>Relationships with Clients.</B> </div> <div> (a) </div> <div> A therapist shall make known to a prospective client the important aspects of the </div> <div> professional relationship including fees and arrangements for payment which might affect the </div> <div> client’s decision to enter into the relationship. </div> <div> (b) </div> <div> No commission or rebate or any other form of renumeration shall be given or </div> <div> received by a therapist for the referral of clients for professional services.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> (c) </div> <div> A therapist shall not use relationships with clients to promote, for personal gain </div> <div> or for the profit of an agency, commercial enterprises of any kind. </div> <div> (d) </div> <div> A therapist shall not engage in activities that seek to meet the therapist’s </div> <div> personal needs instead of the needs of the client. </div> <div> (e) </div> <div> Under normal circumstances a therapist shall not be involved in the therapy of </div> <div> family members, intimate friends, close associates, or others whose welfare might be </div> <div> jeopardized by such a dual relationship. </div> <div> (f) </div> <div> A therapist shall be responsible for setting and maintaining professional </div> <div> boundaries. </div> <div> (g) </div> <div> A therapist may disclose confidential information to medical or law enforcement </div> <div> personnel if the therapist determines that there is a probability of imminent physical injury by </div> <div> the client to the client or others or there is a probability of immediate mental or emotional </div> <div> injury to the client. </div> <div> (h) </div> <div> In group therapy settings, the therapist shall take reasonable precautions to </div> <div> protect individuals from physical or emotional trauma resulting from interaction within the </div> <div> group. </div> <div> (i) </div> <div> A therapist shall keep accurate records of therapeutic services to include, but not </div> <div> be limited to, dates of services, types of services, progress or case notes and billing </div> <div> information for a minimum of five years for an adult client and 5 years beyond the age of 18 </div> <div> years of age for a minor. </div> <div> (j) </div> <div> A therapist shall bill clients or third parties for only those services actually </div> <div> rendered or as agreed to by mutual understanding at the beginning of services or as later </div> <div> modified by mutual agreement. </div> <div> (k) </div> <div> A therapist shall terminate a professional relationship when it is reasonably clear </div> <div> that the client is not benefiting from it. </div> <div> (l) </div> <div> A licensee who engages in interactive therapy via the telephone or internet must </div> <div> provide the client with his/her license number and information on how to contact the board by </div> <div> telephone or mail, and must adhere to all other provisions of this chapter. </div> <div> <B>§801.45.</B> </div> <div> <B>Sexual Misconduct.</B> </div> <div> (a) </div> <div> The following words and terms when used in this section, shall have the </div> <div> following meanings unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> (1) </div> <div> Mental health services - The assessment, diagnosis, treatment, or therapy </div> <div> in a professional relationship to assist an individual or group in: </div> <div> (A) </div> <div> alleviating mental or emotional illness, symptoms, conditions, or </div> <div> disorders, including alcohol or drug addiction; </div> <div> (B) </div> <div> understanding conscious or subconscious motivations; </div> <div> (C) </div> <div> resolving emotional, attitudinal, or relationship conflicts; or </div> <div> (D) </div> <div> modifying feelings, attitudes, or behaviors that interfere with </div> <div> effective emotional, social, or intellectual functioning. </div> <div> (2) </div> <div> Mental health services provider - A licensee or any other licensed or </div> <div> unlicensed individual who performs or purports to perform mental health services, including a </div> <div> licensee under the provisions of the Act. </div> <div> (3) </div> <div> Sexual Contact: </div> <div> (A) </div> <div> deviate sexual intercourse as defined by Penal Code, §21.01; </div> <div> (B) </div> <div> sexual contact as defined by Penal Code, §21.01; </div> <div> (C) </div> <div> sexual intercourse as defined by Penal Code, §21.01; </div> <div> (D) </div> <div> requests by a licensee for conduct described by subparagraph (A), </div> <div> (B), or (C) of this paragraph. </div> <div> (4) </div> <div> Sexual exploitation - A pattern, practice, or scheme of conduct, which </div> <div> may include sexual contact, that can reasonably be construed as being for the purposes of </div> <div> sexual arousal or gratification or sexual abuse of any person. The term does not include </div> <div> obtaining information about a client’s sexual history within standard accepted practice. </div> <div> (5) </div> <div> Therapeutic deception - A representation by a licensee that sexual contact </div> <div> with, or sexual exploitation by, the licensee is consistent with, or a part of, a client’s or former </div> <div> client’s therapy. </div> <div> (b) </div> <div> A licensee shall not engage in sexual contact with a person who is: </div> <div> (1) </div> <div> a client; </div> <div> (2) </div> <div> a former client with whom there has been no therapeutic contact for a </div> <div> minimum of two years;<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> (3) </div> <div> an associate or an intern for whom the licensee has administrative or </div> <div> clinical responsibility; </div> <div> (4) </div> <div> an intern in a marriage and family therapy graduate program in which </div> <div> the licensee offers professional or educational services; or </div> <div> (5) </div> <div> a supervisor of the licensee. </div> <div> (c) </div> <div> A therapist shall not provide therapeutic services to a person with whom the </div> <div> therapist has had a sexual relationship. </div> <div> (d) </div> <div> A licensee shall not practice therapeutic deception or sexual exploitation. </div> <div> (e) </div> <div> Because sexual contact with former clients are so frequently harmful to the </div> <div> client, and because such contacts undermine public confidence in the marriage and family </div> <div> therapy profession and thereby deter the public’s use of needed services, marriage and family </div> <div> therapists do not engage in sexual contact with former clients even after a two year interval </div> <div> except in the most unusual circumstances. The marriage and family therapists who engages in </div> <div> such activity after the two years following cessation or termination of therapy bears the burden </div> <div> of demonstrating that there has been no exploitation, in light of all relevant factors, including: </div> <div> (1) </div> <div> the amount of time has passed since therapy terminated; </div> <div> (2) </div> <div> the nature and duration of the therapy; </div> <div> (3) </div> <div> the circumstances of termination; </div> <div> (4) </div> <div> the client’s personal history; </div> <div> (5) </div> <div> the client’s current mental status; </div> <div> (6) </div> <div> the likelihood of adverse impact on the client and others; and </div> <div> (7) </div> <div> any statements or actions made by the therapist during the course of </div> <div> therapy suggesting or inviting the possibility of a post termination sexual or romantic </div> <div> relationship with the client. </div> <div> (f) </div> <div> It is not a defense under subsections (b)-(d) of this section, if the sexual contact, </div> <div> sexual exploitation, or therapeutic deception with the person occurred: </div> <div> (1) </div> <div> with the consent of the person; </div> <div> (2) </div> <div> outside the therapy or treatment sessions of the person; or<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> (3) </div> <div> off the premises regularly used by the licensee for the therapy or </div> <div> treatment sessions of the person. </div> <div> (g) </div> <div> Examples of sexual exploitation are: </div> <div> (1) </div> <div> sexual harassment, sexual solicitation, physical advances, or verbal or </div> <div> nonverbal conduct that is sexual in nature and: </div> <div> (A) </div> <div> is offensive or creates a hostile environment, and the licensee </div> <div> knows or is told this; or </div> <div> (B) </div> <div> is sufficiently severe or intense to be abusive to a reasonable </div> <div> person in the context; </div> <div> (2) </div> <div> any behavior, gestures, or expressions which may reasonably be </div> <div> interpreted as inappropriately seductive or sexual; </div> <div> (3) </div> <div> inappropriate sexual comments about or to a person, including making </div> <div> sexual comments about a person’s body; </div> <div> (4) </div> <div> making sexually demeaning comment to or about an individual’s sexual </div> <div> orientation; </div> <div> (5) </div> <div> making comments about potential sexual performance except when the </div> <div> comment is pertinent to the issue of sexual function or dysfunction in therapy or treatment; </div> <div> (6) </div> <div> requesting details of sexual history or sexual likes and dislikes when not </div> <div> necessary for therapy or treatment of the individual; </div> <div> (7) </div> <div> initiating conversation regarding the sexual likes and dislikes when not </div> <div> necessary for therapy or treatment of the individual; </div> <div> (8) </div> <div> kissing or fondling; </div> <div> (9) </div> <div> making a request to date; </div> <div> (10) </div> <div> any other deliberate or repeated comments, gestures, or physical acts not </div> <div> constituting sexual intimacies but of a sexual nature; </div> <div> (11) </div> <div> any bodily exposure of genitals, anus, or breasts; </div> <div> (12) </div> <div> encouraging a client, student, associate, or former client to masturbate in </div> <div> the presence of the licensee; and<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> (13) </div> <div> masturbation by the licensee when a client, student, associate, or former </div> <div> client is present. </div> <div> (h) </div> <div> Examples of sexual contact are: </div> <div> (1) </div> <div> genital and genital contact; </div> <div> (2) </div> <div> genital and anal contact; </div> <div> (3) </div> <div> genital and oral contact; </div> <div> (4) </div> <div> genital and any object contact; </div> <div> (5) </div> <div> anal and any object contact; </div> <div> (6) </div> <div> touching breasts; </div> <div> (7) </div> <div> touching genitals; </div> <div> (8) </div> <div> touching anus; and </div> <div> (9) </div> <div> touching buttocks. </div> <div> (i) </div> <div> A licensee shall report sexual misconduct as follows. </div> <div> (1) </div> <div> If a licensee has reasonable cause to suspect that a client has been the </div> <div> victim of a sexual exploitation, sexual contact, or therapeutic deception by another licensee or </div> <div> a mental health services provider during therapy or any other course of treatment, or if a client </div> <div> alleges sexual exploitation, sexual contact, or therapeutic deception by another licensee or </div> <div> mental health services provider during therapy or any other course of treatment, the licensee </div> <div> shall report alleged misconduct not later than the 30th day after the date the licensee became </div> <div> aware of the misconduct or the allegations to: </div> <div> (A) </div> <div> the district attorney in the county in which the alleged sexual </div> <div> exploitation, sexual contact, or therapeutic deception occurred; </div> <div> (B) </div> <div> the board if the misconduct involves a licensee; and </div> <div> (C) </div> <div> any other state licensing agency which licenses the mental health </div> <div> services provider.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> (2) </div> <div> Before making a report under this subsection, the reporter shall inform </div> <div> the alleged victim of the reporter’s duty to report and shall determine if the alleged victim </div> <div> wants to remain anonymous </div> <div> (3) </div> <div> A report under this subsection need contain only the information needed </div> <div> to: </div> <div> (A) </div> <div> identify the reporter; </div> <div> (B) </div> <div> identify the alleged victim, unless the alleged victim has </div> <div> requested anonymity; </div> <div> (C) </div> <div> express suspicion that sexual exploitation, sexual contact, or </div> <div> therapeutic deception occurred; and </div> <div> (D) </div> <div> provide the name of the alleged perpetrator. </div> <div> <B>§801.46.</B> </div> <div> <B>Testing.</B> </div> <div> (a) </div> <div> A therapist shall make known to clients the purposes and explicit use to be made </div> <div> of any testing done as part of a professional relationship. </div> <div> (b) </div> <div> A therapist shall not appropriate, reproduce, or modify published tests or parts </div> <div> thereof without the acknowledgment and permission of the publisher. </div> <div> (c) </div> <div> A therapist shall not administer any test without the appropriate training and </div> <div> experience to administer the test. </div> <div> (d) </div> <div> A therapist must observe the necessary precautions to maintain the security of </div> <div> any test administered by the therapist or under the therapist’s supervision. </div> <div> <B>§801.47.</B> </div> <div> <B>Drug and Alcohol Use. </B>A therapist shall not abuse the use of alcohol or drugs, </div> <div> use illegal drugs of any kind, or promote, or encourage the illegal use or possession of alcohol </div> <div> or drugs. </div> <div> <B>§801.48.</B> </div> <div> <B>Confidentiality. </B></div> <div> (a) </div> <div> A therapist shall follow the rules of confidentiality set forth in the Health and </div> <div> Safety Code, Chapter 611, and other applicable laws. </div> <div> (b) </div> <div> A therapist shall retain and dispose of client records in such a way that </div> <div> confidentiality is maintained. </div> </td> </tr></table></body>