Record Keeping, Fees, and Advertising
Record keeping
Maintain records sufficient for continuity of care and Board review: intake and consent, assessment data, treatment plan, progress notes, consultation, termination, and fee records. Store them securely and release only with authorization or legal authority. Under 201 KAR 26, retain records for the required period and, for minors, until they reach majority plus the retention period. Provide copies promptly; withhold only where law permits.
Fees
Disclose fees in advance, including missed-appointment and report charges. Avoid fee splitting with unlicensed referral sources, exploitation through high-pressure collection, and bartering unless it is culturally appropriate and not exploitative. Collection efforts must not disclose clinical information to third parties.
Advertising
Advertising must be accurate and not misleading. State credentials correctly, do not guarantee outcomes, and use "specialist" only when board certification or equivalent qualifications support it. Testimonials must not imply guaranteed cure, and websites must not reveal client identities without consent.
Worked example
An advertisement reads: "Board-certified anxiety specialist-100% cure in six sessions." The credential may be acceptable if true, but the guarantee is misleading and unsupported. The psychologist should remove the outcome promise and describe services factually.
Traps
Using "psychologist" before licensure; hidden fees; sending a full file to a collection agency; advertising a specialty without documented training.