| (a) A therapist shall make known to a prospective client the important aspects of the professional relationship, including but not limited to office procedures, after-hours coverage, fees, and arrangements for payment which might affect the client's decision to enter into the relationship. (b) No commission or rebate or any other form of renumeration shall be given or received by a therapist for the referral of clients for professional services. (c) A therapist shall not use relationships with clients to promote, for personal gain or for the profit of an agency, commercial enterprises of any kind. (d) A therapist shall not engage in activities that seek to meet the therapist's personal needs instead of the needs of the client. (e) Under normal circumstances a therapist shall not be involved in the therapy of family members, intimate friends, close associates, or others whose welfare might be jeopardized by such a dual relationship. (f) A therapist shall be responsible for setting and maintaining professional boundaries. (g) A therapist may disclose confidential information to medical or law enforcement personnel if the therapist determines that there is a probability of imminent physical injury by the client to the client or others or there is a probability of immediate mental or emotional injury to the client. (h) In group therapy settings, the therapist shall take reasonable precautions to protect individuals from physical or emotional trauma resulting from interaction within the group. (i) A therapist shall keep accurate records of therapeutic services to include, but not be limited to, dates of services, types of services, progress or case notes, and billing information for a minimum of five years for an adult client and 5 years beyond the age of 18 years of age for a minor. (j) A therapist shall bill clients or third parties for only those services actually rendered or as agreed to by mutual understanding at the beginning of services or as later modified by mutual agreement. (k) A therapist shall terminate a professional relationship when it is reasonably clear that the client is not benefiting from it. (l) A licensee who engages in interactive therapy via the telephone or internet must provide the client with his/her license number and information on how to contact the board by telephone or mail, and must adhere to all other provisions of this chapter. |
| Source Note: The provisions of this §801.44 adopted to be effective April 20, 1994, 19 TexReg 2386; amended to be effective April 11, 2001, 26 TexReg 2713; amended to be effective July 2, 2006, 31 TexReg 5111 |
