Therapy in LA

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February 2010

PATIENT BILL OF RIGHTS
Source: California Board of Psychology

Provided by Carl Shubs, Ph.D.

You have the right to:

Request and receive information about the psychologist's professional capabilities, including licensure, education, training, experience, professional association membership, specialization, and limitations
Verify licensure of the psychologist with the Board of Psychology and receive information about any license discipline. You can do this on the Board's website at www.psychboard.ca.gov. Click on "License Verification."
Have written information about fees, methods of payment, insurance reimbursement, number of sessions, length of sessions, professional assistance when your psychologist is not available (in cases of vacation and emergencies), and cancellation policies before beginning therapy. This kind of information is referred to as informed consent.
Know the limits of confidentiality and the circumstances in which a psychologist is legally required to disclose information to others.
Receive a verbal or written treatment plan.
Have a safe environment, free from sexual, physical or emotional abuse.
Expect that your psychologist should not involve you in any social or business relationship that conflicts with your therapy relationship.
Ask questions about your therapy or psychological assessment.
Refuse to answer any question or disclose any information you choose not to reveal.
Request that the psychologist inform you of your progress.
Know if there are supervisors, consultants, students, registered psychological assistants or others with whom your psychologist will discuss your case.
Refuse a particular type of treatment or end treatment at any time without obligation or harassment.
Refuse or request electronic recording of your sessions.
Request and (in most cases) receive a summary of your records, including the diagnosis, treatment plan, your progress, and type of treatment.
Report unprofessional behavior by a psychologist.
Receive a second opinion at any time about your therapy or about your psychologist's methods.
Receive referral names, addresses and telephone numbers in the event that your therapy needs to be transferred to someone else and to request that a copy or a summary of your records be sent to any therapist or agency you choose.

Mental Health Related Certifications

Please Note: A certification is not the same as a license. It indicates a level of training and an area of specialty. Unlike a license, it does not enable someone to engage in psychotherapy, nor does it enable someone to engage in counseling as an independent practitioner.

Please also see sheet regarding Mental Health Related Licenses.

Certification		Certification Requirements

CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor)		Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor-I (CADC-I) 315 hours of approved alcohol and drug formal education 4,000 hours or two (2) years full-time supervised work experience as an alcohol and drug counselor (supervised by at least a CADC-II) Pass written examination Signed Code of Ethics and Scope of Practice Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor-II (CADC-II) Meet all requirements of the CADC-I 6,000 hours or three (3) years full-time supervised work experience as an alcohol and drug counselor (supervised by at least a CADC-II) See: www.caadac.org

CEAP (Certified Employee Assistance Professional)		At least a two-year masters degree in an EAP-related field, such as psychology, social work, or counseling. 2,000 hours of work experience in an EAP setting 5 PDHs (continuing education), in three of the EAP domains 24 hours of Advisement gained over a minimum 6-month period Pass certification examination, after the completion of the above referenced supervised experience. Signs agreement of adherence to profession’s laws and code of ethics See: http://www.eapassn.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=332