In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

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1. "Board" means the board of behavioral health examiners.

2. "Client" means a patient who receives behavioral health services from a person licensed pursuant to this chapter.

3. "Direct client contact" means the performance of therapeutic or clinical functions related to the applicant’s professional practice level of psychotherapy that includes diagnosis, assessment and treatment and that may include psychoeducation for mental, emotional and behavioral disorders based primarily on verbal or nonverbal communications and intervention with, and in the presence of, one or more clients, including through the use of telehealth pursuant to Title 36, Chapter 36, Article 1.

4. "Equivalent" means comparable in content and quality but not identical.

5. "Indirect client service" means training for, and the performance of, functions of an applicant’s professional practice level in preparation for or on behalf of a client for whom direct client contact functions are also performed, including case consultation and receipt of clinical supervision. Indirect client service does not include the provision of psychoeducation.

6. "Letter of concern" means a nondisciplinary written document sent by the board to notify a licensee that, while there is insufficient evidence to support disciplinary action, the board believes that continuation of the activities that led to the investigation may result in further board action against the licensee.

7. "Licensee" means a person who is licensed pursuant to this chapter.

8. "Practice of behavioral health" means the practice of marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, social work and substance abuse counseling pursuant to this chapter.

9. "Practice of marriage and family therapy" means the professional application of family systems theories, principles and techniques to treat interpersonal relationship issues and nervous, mental and emotional disorders that are cognitive, affective or behavioral. The practice of marriage and family therapy includes:

(a) Assessment, appraisal and diagnosis.

(b) The use of psychotherapy for the purpose of evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of individuals, couples, families and groups.

10. "Practice of professional counseling" means the professional application of mental health, psychological and human development theories, principles and techniques to:

(a) Facilitate human development and adjustment throughout the human life span.

(b) Assess and facilitate career development.

(c) Treat interpersonal relationship issues and nervous, mental and emotional disorders that are cognitive, affective or behavioral.

(d) Manage symptoms of mental illness.

(e) Assess, appraise, evaluate, diagnose and treat individuals, couples, families and groups through the use of psychotherapy.

11. "Practice of social work" means the professional application of social work theories, principles, methods and techniques to:

(a) Treat mental, behavioral and emotional disorders.

(b) Assist individuals, families, groups and communities to enhance or restore the ability to function physically, socially, emotionally, mentally and economically.

(c) Assess, appraise, diagnose, evaluate and treat individuals, couples, families and groups through the use of psychotherapy.

12. "Practice of substance abuse counseling" means the professional application of general counseling theories, principles and techniques as specifically adapted, based on research and clinical experience, to the specialized needs and characteristics of persons who are experiencing substance abuse, chemical dependency and related problems and to the families of those persons. The practice of substance abuse counseling includes the following as they relate to substance abuse and chemical dependency issues:

(a) Assessment, appraisal and diagnosis.

(b) The use of psychotherapy for the purpose of evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of individuals, couples, families and groups.

13. "Psychoeducation" means the education of a client as part of a treatment process that provides the client with information regarding mental health, emotional disorders or behavioral health.

14. "Psychotherapy" means a variety of treatment methods developing out of generally accepted theories about human behavior and development.

15. "Telehealth" has the same meaning prescribed in section 36-3601.

16. "Unprofessional conduct" includes the following, whether occurring in this state or elsewhere:

(a) Being convicted of a felony. Conviction by a court of competent jurisdiction or a plea of no contest is conclusive evidence of the conviction.

(b) Using fraud or deceit in connection with rendering services as a licensee or in establishing qualifications pursuant to this chapter.

(c) Making any oral or written misrepresentation of a fact:

(i) To secure or attempt to secure the issuance or renewal of a license.

(ii) In any statements provided during an investigation or disciplinary proceeding by the board.

(iii) Regarding the licensee’s skills or the value of any treatment provided or to be provided.

(d) Making any false, fraudulent or deceptive statement connected with the practice of behavioral health, including false or misleading advertising by the licensee or the licensee’s staff or a representative compensated by the licensee.

(e) Securing or attempting to secure the issuance or renewal of a license by knowingly taking advantage of the mistake of another person or the board.

(f) Engaging in active habitual intemperance in the use of alcohol or active habitual substance abuse.

(g) Using a controlled substance that is not prescribed for use during a prescribed course of treatment.

(h) Obtaining a fee by fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.

(i) Aiding or abetting a person who is not licensed pursuant to this chapter to purport to be a licensed behavioral health professional in this state.

(j) Engaging in conduct that the board determines is gross negligence or repeated negligence in the licensee’s profession.

(k) Engaging in any conduct or practice that is contrary to recognized standards of ethics in the behavioral health profession or that constitutes a danger to the health, welfare or safety of a client.

(l) Engaging in any conduct, practice or condition that impairs the ability of the licensee to safely and competently practice the licensee’s profession.

(m) Engaging or offering to engage as a licensee in activities that are not congruent with the licensee’s professional education, training or experience.

(n) Failing to comply with or violating, attempting to violate or assisting in or abetting the violation of any provision of this chapter, any rule adopted pursuant to this chapter, any lawful order of the board, or any formal order, consent agreement, term of probation or stipulated agreement issued under this chapter.

(o) Failing to furnish information within a specified time to the board or its investigators or representatives if legally requested by the board.

(p) Failing to conform to minimum practice standards as developed by the board.

(q) Failing or refusing to maintain adequate records of behavioral health services provided to a client.

(r) Providing behavioral health services that are clinically unjustified or unsafe or otherwise engaging in activities as a licensee that are unprofessional by current standards of practice.

(s) Terminating behavioral health services to a client without making an appropriate referral for continuation of care for the client if continuing behavioral health services are indicated.

(t) Disclosing a professional confidence or privileged communication except as may otherwise be required by law or permitted by a legally valid written release.

(u) Failing to allow the board or its investigators on demand to examine and have access to documents, reports and records in any format maintained by the licensee that relate to the licensee’s practice of behavioral health.

(v) Engaging in any sexual conduct between a licensee and a client or former client.

(w) Providing behavioral health services to any person with whom the licensee has had sexual contact.

(x) Exploiting a client, former client or supervisee. For the purposes of this subdivision, "exploiting" means taking advantage of a professional relationship with a client, former client or supervisee for the benefit or profit of the licensee.

(y) Engaging in a dual relationship with a client that could impair the licensee’s objectivity or professional judgment or create a risk of harm to the client. For the purposes of this subdivision, "dual relationship" means a licensee simultaneously engages in both a professional and nonprofessional relationship with a client that is avoidable and not incidental.

(z) Engaging in physical contact between a licensee and a client if there is a reasonable possibility of physical or psychological harm to the client as a result of that contact.

(aa) Sexually harassing a client, former client, research subject, supervisee or coworker. For the purposes of this subdivision, "sexually harassing" includes sexual advances, sexual solicitation, requests for sexual favors, unwelcome comments or gestures or any other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

(bb) Harassing, exploiting or retaliating against a client, former client, research subject, supervisee, coworker or witness or a complainant in a disciplinary investigation or proceeding involving a licensee.

(cc) Failing to take reasonable steps to inform potential victims and appropriate authorities if the licensee becomes aware during the course of providing or supervising behavioral health services that a client’s condition indicates a clear and imminent danger to the client or others.

(dd) Failing to comply with the laws of the appropriate licensing or credentialing authority to provide behavioral health services by electronic means in all governmental jurisdictions where the client receiving these services resides.

(ee) Giving or receiving a payment, kickback, rebate, bonus or other remuneration for a referral.

(ff) Failing to report in writing to the board information that would cause a reasonable licensee to believe that another licensee is guilty of unprofessional conduct or is physically or mentally unable to provide behavioral health services competently or safely. This duty does not extend to information provided by a licensee that is protected by the behavioral health professional-client privilege unless the information indicates a clear and imminent danger to the client or others or is otherwise subject to mandatory reporting requirements pursuant to state or federal law.

(gg) Failing to follow federal and state laws regarding the storage, use and release of confidential information regarding a client’s personal identifiable information or care.

(hh) Failing to retain records pursuant to section 12-2297.

(ii) Violating any federal or state law, rule or regulation applicable to the practice of behavioral health.

(jj) Failing to make client records in the licensee’s possession available in a timely manner to another health professional or licensee on receipt of proper authorization to do so from the client, a minor client’s parent, the client’s legal guardian or the client’s authorized representative.

(kk) Failing to make client records in the licensee’s possession promptly available to the client, a minor client’s parent, the client’s legal guardian or the client’s authorized representative on receipt of proper authorization to do so from the client, a minor client’s parent, the client’s legal guardian or the client’s authorized representative.

(ll) Being the subject of the revocation, suspension, surrender or any other disciplinary sanction of a professional license, certificate or registration or other adverse action related to a professional license, certificate or registration in another jurisdiction or country, including the failure to report the adverse action to the board. The action taken may include refusing, denying, revoking or suspending a license or certificate, the surrendering of a license or certificate, otherwise limiting, restricting or monitoring a licensee or certificate holder or placing a licensee or certificate holder on probation.

(mm) Engaging in any conduct that results in a sanction imposed by an agency of the federal government that involves restricting, suspending, limiting or removing the licensee’s ability to obtain financial remuneration for behavioral health services.

(nn) Violating the security of any licensure examination materials.

(oo) Using fraud or deceit in connection with taking or assisting another person in taking a licensure examination.