Therapist Survival Guide: How to Dodge Ethical Landmines and Keep Your License Safe
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby is a licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified coach, AAMFT clinical supervisor, host of the Love, Happiness, and Success Podcast and founder of Growing Self.
Are You Unknowingly Putting Your Therapy License at Risk? Here’s How to Avoid Common Ethical Violations
Let’s face it—nobody becomes a therapist thinking, “I can’t wait to get grieved by the licensing board!” But here’s the truth: even the most well-intentioned therapists can stumble into ethical gray areas that could endanger their careers. As a therapist who’s been supervising clinicians for years, I can tell you this happens more often than you think—and it’s terrifying. So, let’s talk about it, because the stakes are too high to ignore.
In my latest episode of Love, Happiness, and Success for Therapists, I dive deep into how to avoid ethical violations in therapy practice, and I’m here to share some key takeaways that will help you stay clear of trouble, keep your clients safe, and ultimately, protect your license.
Getting Busy Isn’t Always a Good Thing
We’ve all been there—your private practice is thriving, you’re fully booked, and you feel like you’re really making a difference. But here’s the kicker: when your caseload gets overwhelming, that’s when ethical issues can sneak up on you.
I’m talking about something as basic as responding to client emails. You’ve got 30 unread emails at the end of a long day, and maybe one or two slip through the cracks. That’s not just bad business; it’s potentially abandoning your clients. Yup, you read that right—failing to maintain communication with clients who are actively seeking your care can be classified as abandonment (American Psychological Association, 2022). And if your client experiences a crisis during that time? That’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.
If you don’t have systems in place to manage this, you’re at risk. So, it’s time to streamline your scheduling and communication systems to ensure that no one gets left behind.
Document, Document, Document!
Ah, case notes—the bane of every therapist’s existence, but a non-negotiable part of ethical practice. I know it’s easy to let documentation slide, especially when you’re overwhelmed, but missing or incomplete records could come back to haunt you.
I’ve seen therapists get into serious trouble simply because they didn’t close out client files properly. Imagine a scenario where a former client files a grievance, but your records don’t clearly show the termination of services. Suddenly, it looks like you abandoned them, and you’re stuck in an investigation.
The lesson? Document every conversation, every session, and especially any agreement about ending services (Zur Institute, 2021). If it’s not documented, it didn’t happen—at least as far as the licensing board is concerned.
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Boundaries: Keep Them Sharp
We all know the obvious ethical boundaries—don’t sleep with your clients, don’t borrow money from them, and definitely don’t go into business with them. But some boundary violations are more subtle and can catch you off guard.
One of the trickiest pitfalls? Oversharing. It might seem like a good idea to share a personal story to build rapport or help your client feel less alone, but be careful—too much self-disclosure can blur the lines of the therapeutic relationship (Zur Institute, 2021). The session is about your client, not you. So, before you start talking about that one time in college, ask yourself, “Is this for their benefit, or am I just filling the silence?”
Always Be Assessing
It’s easy to get into a groove with long-term clients—you know their story, they trust you, and sessions can start feeling a little…routine. But that’s when things can go sideways. Even with clients you know well, you should always be assessing their needs, their progress, and any potential risks (American Counseling Association, 2014).
In fact, I recently recorded a podcast episode on this very topic—about how regularly assessing your clients can prevent you from missing critical changes in their mental health. You don’t want to be caught off guard by a crisis that you should’ve seen coming. Check out that episode here, and make sure you’re staying vigilant.
Know Your Limits—It’s Okay!
I get it—filling up your practice can be hard, and sometimes you’re tempted to say yes to clients who are on the edge of your comfort zone. But here’s the thing: it’s okay to acknowledge that you’re not the best fit for every client. In fact, it’s the ethical thing to do.
I can’t stress this enough—if you’re feeling out of your depth with a client’s presenting issues, get consultation, supervision, or refer them to someone with more experience in that area. It’s not a failure; it’s a strength (American Counseling Association, 2014). And your clients will benefit from that honesty.
Stay Current on Ethical Guidelines
Therapy is an ever-evolving field, and it’s crucial to stay updated on the latest ethical guidelines and best practices. Regularly engaging in continuing education isn’t just about keeping your license—it’s about becoming a better therapist.
So, if you’re not already doing this, make it a habit to attend workshops, take online courses, or consult with your peers. Not only will this help you sharpen your skills, but it will also give you the confidence that you’re practicing in the most ethical, effective way possible.
Ready for the Next Step in Your Career?
If you’ve been considering expanding your skillset, now might be the perfect time to explore coaching psychology. As therapists, we’re trained to diagnose and treat mental health conditions, but coaching can be an incredibly effective tool for helping high-functioning clients achieve their goals.
Curious if coaching is right for you? I’ve put together a free two-part training series to help you explore how coaching can enhance your practice. You can check it out here. I’d love to support you in your professional development journey!
And hey—let’s stay connected! You can find me on LinkedIn. I’m always sharing new insights and resources that I think will help therapists like you thrive.
P.S. Do you know a colleague who could use this advice? Go ahead and share this article with them—let’s make sure we’re all supporting each other in doing this important, life-changing work!
Sources:
Zur Institute. (2021). Boundaries and ethics for therapists.
American Psychological Association. (2022). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct.
American Counseling Association. (2014). Code of ethics.
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