Study Points
- Back to Course Home
- Participation Instructions
- Review the course material online or in print.
- Complete the course evaluation.
- Review your Transcript to view and print your Certificate of Completion. Your date of completion will be the date (Pacific Time) the course was electronically submitted for credit, with no exceptions. Partial credit is not available.
Study Points
Click on any objective to view test questions.
- Discuss the importance of confidentiality and record keeping for mental health professionals.
- Describe the legal and ethical boundaries established for supervision in the mental health professions.
- Identify issues that may arise in the psychotherapist-client relationship.
- Outline the standards of practice for mental health professionals in Florida.
- Review disciplinary actions that may be taken against mental health professionals who violate state laws.
Client confidentiality applies to in-person conversations, written documentation, and
Click to ReviewConfidentiality applies not only to live conversations and their written documentation, but also to all other forms of data storage, including e-mail, audio/video recording, and assessment/test data. Permission to engage in each alternate form of documentation must be granted by the client. All of this documented information becomes part of the client's record, and this record is protected. The following Florida laws and rules pertain to confidentiality and client records [1,2,3].
In therapy with more than one family member, confidentiality may be waived
Click to ReviewAny communication between any person licensed or certified under this chapter and her or his patient or client shall be confidential.
This privilege may be waived under the following conditions:
When the person licensed or certified under this chapter is a party defendant to a civil, criminal, or disciplinary action arising from a complaint filed by the patient or client, in which case the waiver shall be limited to that action.
When the patient or client agrees to the waiver, in writing, or, when more than one person in a family is receiving therapy, when each family member agrees to the waiver, in writing.
When a patient or client has communicated to the person licensed or certified under this chapter a specific threat to cause serious bodily injury or death to an identified or readily available person, and the person licensed or certified under this chapter makes a clinical judgment that the patient or client has the apparent intent and ability to imminently or immediately carry out such threat, and the person licensed or certified under this chapter communicates the information to the potential victim. A disclosure of confidential communications by a person licensed or certified under this chapter when communicating a threat pursuant to this subsection may not be the basis of any legal action or criminal or civil liability against such person.
This privilege must be waived, and the person licensed or certified under this chapter shall disclose patient or client communications to the extent necessary to communicate the threat to a law enforcement agency, if a patient or client has communicated to such person a specific threat to cause serious bodily injury or death to an identified or readily available person, and the person licensed or certified under this chapter makes a clinical judgment that the patient or client has the apparent intent and ability to imminently or immediately carry out such threat. A law enforcement agency that receives notification of a specific threat under this subsection must take appropriate action to prevent the risk of harm, including, but not limited to, notifying the intended victim of such threat or initiating a risk protection order. A disclosure of confidential communications by a person licensed or certified under this chapter when communicating a threat pursuant to this subsection may not be the basis of any legal action or criminal or civil liability against such person.
A full record of services shall be maintained for how many years after the date of the last contact with the client or user?
Click to ReviewA licensed clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or mental health counselor, including any registered intern or provisional licensee, shall maintain responsibility for all records relating to his clients as provided in Section 456.057 of the Florida Statutes. All such records shall remain confidential except as provided by law or as allowed pursuant to a written and signed authorization by the client specifically requesting or authorizing release or disclosure of records in his office or possession.
A full record of services shall be maintained for 7 years after the date of the last contact with the client or user.
When a clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or mental health counselor terminates practice or relocates and is no longer available to clients or users, the clients or users shall be notified of such termination or relocation and unavailability by the licensee's causing to be published in the newspaper of greatest general circulation in the county in which the licensee practices or practiced, a notice which shall contain the date of termination or relocation and an address at which the licensee's client or user records are available to the client, user, or to a licensed mental health professional designated by the client or user. The notice shall appear at least once a week for 4 consecutive weeks. The records shall be retained for 2 years after the termination or relocation of the practice.
If the termination was due to the death of a licensee, records shall be maintained at least two years after the licensee's death. At the conclusion of a 22-month period from the date of the licensee's death, the executor, administrator, personal representative, or survivor shall cause to be published once during each week for 4 consecutive weeks, in the newspaper of greatest general circulation in each county in which the licensee practiced, a notice indicating to the clients or users of the deceased licensee that the licensee's records will be disposed of or destroyed 4 weeks or later from the last day of the final week of publication of the notice.
Which of the following persons are NOT authorized to acquire or own medical records?
Click to ReviewAs used in this section, the term "records owner" means any healthcare practitioner who generates a medical record after making a physical or mental examination of, or administering treatment or dispensing legend drugs to, any person; any healthcare practitioner to whom records are transferred by a previous records owner; or any healthcare practitioner's employer, including, but not limited to, group practices and staff-model health maintenance organizations, provided the employment contract or agreement between the employer and the healthcare practitioner designates the employer as the records owner.
As used in this section, the terms "records owner," "healthcare practitioner," and "healthcare practitioner's employer" do not include any of the following persons or entities; furthermore, the following persons or entities are not authorized to acquire or own medical records, but are authorized under the confidentiality and disclosure requirements of this section to maintain those documents required by the part or chapter under which they are licensed or regulated:
Certified nursing assistants
Pharmacists and pharmacies
Dental hygienists
Nursing home administrators
Respiratory therapists
Athletic trainers
Electrologists
Clinical laboratory personnel
Medical physicists
Opticians and optical establishments
Insurance organizations
As used in this section, the term "records custodian" means any person or entity that:
Maintains documents that are authorized in subsection (2); or
Obtains medical records from a records owner.
Any healthcare practitioner's employer who is a records owner and any records custodian shall maintain records or documents as provided under the confidentiality and disclosure requirements of this section.
This section does not apply to facilities licensed under chapter 395 (i.e., hospitals and other licensed facilities).
Any healthcare practitioner licensed by the department or a board within the department who makes a physical or mental examination of, or administers treatment or dispenses legend drugs to, any person shall, upon request of such person or the person's legal representative, furnish, in a timely manner, without delays for legal review, copies of all reports and records relating to such examination or treatment, including x-rays and insurance information. However, when a patient's psychiatric, chapter 490 psychological, or chapter 491 psychotherapeutic records are requested by the patient or the patient's legal representative, the healthcare practitioner may provide a report of examination and treatment in lieu of copies of records. Upon a patient's written request, complete copies of the patient's psychiatric records shall be provided directly to a subsequent treating psychiatrist. The furnishing of such report or copies shall not be conditioned upon payment of a fee for services rendered.
Except as otherwise provided in this section and in s. 440.13(4)(c), such records may not be furnished to, and the medical condition of a patient may not be discussed with, any person other than the patient, the patient's legal representative, or other healthcare practitioners and providers involved in the patient's care or treatment, except upon written authorization from the patient. However, such records may be furnished without written authorization under the following circumstances:
To any person, firm, or corporation that has procured or furnished such care or treatment with the patient's consent.
When compulsory physical examination is made pursuant to Rule 1.360, Florida Rules of Civil Procedure, in which case copies of the medical records shall be furnished to both the defendant and the plaintiff.
In any civil or criminal action, unless otherwise prohibited by law, upon the issuance of a subpoena from a court of competent jurisdiction and proper notice to the patient or the patient's legal representative by the party seeking such records.
For statistical and scientific research, provided the information is abstracted in such a way as to protect the identity of the patient or provided written permission is received from the patient or the patient's legal representative.
To a regional poison control center for purposes of treating a poison episode under evaluation, case management of poison cases, or compliance with data collection and reporting requirements and the professional organization that certifies poison control centers in accordance with federal law.
To the Department of Children and Families, its agent, or its contracted entity, for the purpose of investigations of or services for cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children or vulnerable adults.
Absent a specific written release or authorization permitting utilization of patient information for solicitation or marketing the sale of goods or services, any use of that information for those purposes is prohibited.
Information disclosed to a healthcare practitioner by a patient in the course of the care and treatment of such patient is confidential and may be disclosed only to other healthcare practitioners and providers involved in the care or treatment of the patient, if allowed by written authorization from the patient, or if compelled by subpoena at a deposition, evidentiary hearing, or trial for which proper notice has been given.
Notwithstanding paragraphs (a)-(c), information disclosed by a patient to a healthcare practitioner or provider or records created by the practitioner or provider during the course of care or treatment of the patient may be disclosed:
In a medical negligence action or administrative proceeding if the healthcare practitioner or provider is or reasonably expects to be named as a defendant;
As part of informal discovery in actions related to medical negligence, pursuant to s. 766.106(6)(b)5.;
As provided for in the authorization for release of protected health information filed by the patient pursuant to s. 766.1065; or
To the healthcare practitioner's or provider's attorney during a consultation if the healthcare practitioner or provider reasonably expects to be deposed, to be called as a witness, or to receive formal or informal discovery requests in a medical negligence action, presuit investigation of medical negligence, or administrative proceeding.
If the medical liability insurer of a healthcare practitioner or provider described in this subparagraph represents a defendant or prospective defendant in a medical negligence action:
The insurer for the healthcare practitioner or provider may not contact the healthcare practitioner or provider to recommend that the healthcare practitioner or provider seek legal counsel relating to a particular matter.
The insurer may not select an attorney for the practitioner or the provider. However, the insurer may recommend attorneys who do not represent a defendant or prospective defendant in the matter if the practitioner or provider contacts an insurer relating to the practitioner's or provider's potential involvement in the matter.
The attorney selected by the practitioner or the provider may not, directly or indirectly, disclose to the insurer any information relating to the representation of the practitioner or the provider other than the categories of work performed or the amount of time applicable to each category for billing or reimbursement purposes. The attorney selected by the practitioner or the provider may represent the insurer or other insureds of the insurer in an unrelated matter.
The limitations in this subparagraph do not apply if the attorney reasonably expects the practitioner or provider to be named as a defendant and the practitioner or provider agrees with the attorney's assessment, if the practitioner or provider receives a presuit notice pursuant to chapter 766, or if the practitioner or provider is named as a defendant.
The department may obtain patient records pursuant to a subpoena without written authorization from the patient if the department and the probable cause panel of the appropriate board, if any, find reasonable cause to believe that a healthcare practitioner has excessively or inappropriately prescribed any controlled substance specified in chapter 893 in violation of this chapter or any professional practice act or that a healthcare practitioner has practiced his or her profession below that level of care, skill, and treatment required as defined by this chapter or any professional practice act and also find that appropriate, reasonable attempts were made to obtain a patient release. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the department need not attempt to obtain a patient release when investigating an offense involving the inappropriate prescribing, overprescribing, or diversion of controlled substances and the offense involves a pain-management clinic. The department may obtain patient records without patient authorization or subpoena from any pain-management clinic required to be licensed if the department has probable cause to believe that a violation of any provision of s. 458.3265 or s. 459.0137 is occurring or has occurred and reasonably believes that obtaining such authorization is not feasible due to the volume of the dispensing and prescribing activity involving controlled substances and that obtaining patient authorization or the issuance of a subpoena would jeopardize the investigation.
The department may obtain patient records and insurance information pursuant to a subpoena without written authorization from the patient if the department and the probable cause panel of the appropriate board, if any, find reasonable cause to believe that a healthcare practitioner has provided inadequate medical care based on termination of insurance and also find that appropriate, reasonable attempts were made to obtain a patient release.
The department may obtain patient records, billing records, insurance information, provider contracts, and all attachments thereto pursuant to a subpoena without written authorization from the patient if the department and probable cause panel of the appropriate board, if any, find reasonable cause to believe that a healthcare practitioner has submitted a claim, statement, or bill using a billing code that would result in payment greater in amount than would be paid using a billing code that accurately describes the services performed, requested payment for services that were not performed by that healthcare practitioner, used information derived from a written report of an automobile accident to solicit or obtain patients personally or through an agent regardless of whether the information is derived directly from the report or a summary of that report or from another person, solicited patients fraudulently, received a kickback, violated patient brokering provisions, or presented or caused to be presented a false or fraudulent insurance claim, and also find that patient authorization cannot be obtained because the patient cannot be located or is deceased, incapacitated, or suspected of being a participant in the fraud or scheme, and if the subpoena is issued for specific and relevant records.
Notwithstanding subparagraphs 1.-3., when the department investigates a professional liability claim or undertakes action, the department may obtain patient records pursuant to a subpoena without written authorization from the patient if the patient refuses to cooperate or if the department attempts to obtain a patient release and the failure to obtain the patient records would be detrimental to the investigation.
Patient records, billing records, insurance information, provider contracts, and all attachments thereto obtained by the department pursuant to this subsection shall be used solely for the purpose of the department and the appropriate regulatory board in disciplinary proceedings. This section does not limit the assertion of the psychotherapist-patient privilege in regard to records of treatment for mental or nervous disorders by a medical practitioner who has primarily diagnosed and treated mental and nervous disorders for a period of not less than 3 years, inclusive of psychiatric residency. However, the healthcare practitioner shall release records of treatment for medical conditions even if the healthcare practitioner has also treated the patient for mental or nervous disorders. If the department has found reasonable cause under this section and the psychotherapist-patient privilege is asserted, the department may petition the circuit court for an in-camera review of the records by expert medical practitioners appointed by the court to determine if the records or any part thereof are protected under the psychotherapist-patient privilege.
All patient records obtained by the department and any other documents maintained by the department that identify the patient by name are confidential and exempt and shall be used solely for the purpose of the department and the appropriate regulatory board in its investigation, prosecution, and appeal of disciplinary proceedings. The records shall not be available to the public as part of the record of investigation for and prosecution in disciplinary proceedings made available to the public by the department or the appropriate board.
Notwithstanding paragraph (a), all patient records obtained by the department and any other documents maintained by the department that relate to a current or former Medicaid recipient shall be provided to the Medicaid Fraud Control Unit in the Department of Legal Affairs, upon request.
All records owners shall develop and implement policies, standards, and procedures to protect the confidentiality and security of the medical record. Employees of records owners shall be trained in these policies, standards, and procedures.
Records owners are responsible for maintaining a record of all disclosures of information contained in the medical record to a third party, including the purpose of the disclosure request. The record of disclosure may be maintained in the medical record. The third party to whom information is disclosed is prohibited from further disclosing any information in the medical record without the expressed written consent of the patient or the patient's legal representative.
Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 456.058, records owners shall place an advertisement in the local newspaper or notify patients, in writing, when they are terminating practice, retiring, or relocating and no longer available to patients, and offer patients the opportunity to obtain a copy of their medical record.
Notwithstanding the provisions of s. 456.058, records owners shall notify the appropriate board office when they are terminating practice, retiring, or relocating, and no longer available to patients, specifying who the new records owner is and where medical records can be found.
Whenever a records owner has turned records over to a new records owner, the new records owner shall be responsible for providing a copy of the complete medical record, upon written request, of the patient or the patient's legal representative.
Licensees in violation of the provisions of this section shall be disciplined by the appropriate licensing authority.
The Attorney General is authorized to enforce the provisions of this section for records owners not otherwise licensed by the state, through injunctive relief and fines not to exceed $5,000 per violation.
A healthcare practitioner or records owner furnishing copies of reports or records or making the reports or records available for digital scanning pursuant to this section shall charge no more than the actual cost of copying, including reasonable staff time, or the amount specified in administrative rule by the appropriate board, or the department when there is no board.
Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit healthcare practitioner consultations, as necessary.
A records owner shall release to a healthcare practitioner who, as an employee of the records owner, previously provided treatment to a patient, those records that the healthcare practitioner actually created or generated when the healthcare practitioner treated the patient. Records released pursuant to this subsection shall be released only upon written request of the healthcare practitioner and shall be limited to the notes, plans of care, and orders and summaries that were actually generated by the healthcare practitioner requesting the record.
The board with department approval, or the department when there is no board, may temporarily or permanently appoint a person or entity as a custodian of medical records in the event of the death of a practitioner, the mental or physical incapacitation of the practitioner, or the abandonment of medical records by a practitioner. Such custodian shall comply with this section. The department may contract with a third party to provide these services under the confidentiality and disclosure requirements of this section.
A conflict of interest in supervision exists if the supervisee is
Click to ReviewSupervision provided by the applicant's current or former therapist, parents, current or former spouse, siblings, children, current or former employees, or anyone sharing the same household, or any person who is or was in a current or former romantic, sexual, domestic, or familial relationship with the applicant shall not be acceptable toward fulfillment of licensure requirements. For the purposes of this section, a supervisor shall not be considered an employee of the applicant if the only compensation received by the supervisor consists of payment for actual supervisory hours.
Which of the following is a factor considered by the board in determining whether the psychotherapist-client relationship has terminated?
Click to ReviewA psychotherapist-client relationship is established between a psychotherapist and a person once a psychotherapist renders, or purports to render, clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, or mental health services including, but not limited to, psychotherapy, counseling, assessment, or treatment to that person. A formal contractual relationship, the scheduling of professional appointments, or payment of a fee for services are not necessary conditions for the establishment of a psychotherapist-client relationship, although each of these may be evidence that such a relationship exists.
Sexual misconduct, as defined in FAC 64B4-10.002, with a client is prohibited.
The determination of when a person is a client for purposes of this rule is made on a case-by-case basis with consideration given to the nature, extent, and context of the professional relationship between the psychotherapist and the person. The fact that a person is not actively receiving treatment or professional services from a psychotherapist is not determinative of this issue. A person is presumed to remain a client until the psychotherapist-client relationship is terminated.
The mere passage of time since the client's last visit with the psychotherapist is not determinative of whether the psychotherapist-client relationship has been terminated. Some of the factors considered by the Board in determining whether the psychotherapist-client relationship has terminated include, but are not limited to, the following:
Formal termination procedures;
Transfer of the client's case to another psychotherapist;
The length of the professional relationship;
The extent to which the client has confided personal or private information to the psychotherapist;
The nature of the client's problem; and
The degree of emotional dependence that the client has on the psychotherapist.
The psychotherapist shall not engage in or request sexual contact with a former client at any time if engaging with that client would be exploitative, abusive, or detrimental to that client's welfare or if the sexual contact is a result of the exploitation of trust, knowledge, influence, or emotions derived from the professional relationship.
A client's consent to, initiation of, or participation in sexual behavior or involvement with a psychotherapist does not change the nature of the conduct nor lift the prohibition.
Which of the following statements regarding sexual misconduct is TRUE?
Sexual misconduct not involving client contact is defined as
Before practicing hypnosis for any therapeutic purpose, a clinical social worker, marriage and family therapist, or mental health counselor shall have successfully completed how many hours of relevant hypnosis training?
Which of the following actions by a licensee may result in disciplinary action by the board?
- Back to Course Home
- Participation Instructions
- Review the course material online or in print.
- Complete the course evaluation.
- Review your Transcript to view and print your Certificate of Completion. Your date of completion will be the date (Pacific Time) the course was electronically submitted for credit, with no exceptions. Partial credit is not available.