2017-0020. The case involved disclosing confidential information without client consent. During a divorce proceeding, the client’s attorney subpoenaed the counselor’s notes. The notes contained information on a session held with the client and the client’s spouse. Confidentiality limits nor exclusions were documented as having been discussed during the session, nor did the counselor seek approval from the spouse to disclose the information. The Board issued a Consent Order placing the license on probation until the counselor completes a 3-hour continuing education course on ethics and confidentiality. I agree with the Board decision to mandate specific training on confidentiality and no further charges.
In 2017, the Arizona State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners ruled on Complaint No. 2017-0074. A counselor was charged with fraudulent actions for misrepresenting the reason for leaving or not disclosing past terminations on five employment applications. The Board made several provisions for the counselor.
• Application for license was approved, but the counselor must take the …show more content…
The provisions are numerous and stringent, but I am struggling with agreement. The counselor was terminated for inappropriate behaviors which likely caused harm to the clients. I do not know the procedures for pursuing professional misconduct, but believe there is a much larger issue than the fraud. Repeated terminations over 10-years for multiple behavior issues should be an immediate revocation of the license when it came to the Board’s