Board Of Psychology License Defense Lawyer in California
Our Kosnett Law professional licensing defense attorneys for psychologists in California protect our clients’ rights when they are under investigation for complaints or in civil lawsuits filed by patients or their guardians.
Our Los Angeles psychologist defense lawyers know that our clients have worked tirelessly to obtain their professional license from the California Board of Psychology. When their license is compromised by a complaint, their lives can change in an instant.
Allegations of misconduct and/or psychological malpractice are common in Los Angeles County and throughout California, and when mental health professionals are accused of wrongdoing, they need a strong and experienced legal defense team by their side.
Our psychologist license defense attorneys in Los Angeles are trusted advocates here to help all mental health professionals — no matter where they practice in California — pursue successful outcomes in their unique legal matters, so they can preserve their reputations, integrity, and livelihoods going forward.
When Should I Consult with a Licensing Defense Attorney for Psychologists in California?
At Kosnett Law, our professional licensing defense attorneys for psychologists in Orange County know that not all professional investigations involve discipline, which is why we offer end-to-end legal representation for mental health professionals throughout California.
If you are contacted by an investigator, attorney, or Board administrator, note their contact information and call our California defense lawyers for psychologists today. We will identify the issue and, when possible, resolve it at the earliest stage by replying directly to the investigator. Going forward, we will manage all communication through our law firm in a documented, controlled manner, so your rights are protected from the start.
Any statements you make to an investigator can become admissions that can be used against you later, which makes having an experienced California psychologist attorney an integral part of your professional success.
That means you do not have to speak with the Board or any other investigative branch without understanding your legal rights and options to pursue the best outcome.
Our Los Angeles and Irvine professional licensing defense attorneys for psychologists represent existing professionals throughout California and assist future psychologists in obtaining their licenses when obstacles like past criminal convictions are obstructing their professional paths.
What are the Most Common Accusations Alleged Against Psychologists in California?
Psychologists are not medical doctors, but their licenses and reputations can just as easily come into question. Some accusations against psychologists involve their licenses being denied, being under investigation, or being subject to revocation and discipline by the Board.
Others may be subjected to personal injury or civil lawsuits filed by patients or their guardians.
The most common investigations involving psychologists are the result of allegations regarding:
- Accepting payments or paying for patient referrals
- Criminal charges
- Failing to report a patient making a threat to physically harm another person
- Failure to comply with mandatory reporting requirements
- Providing services for which they have not been trained or licensed
- Sexual relationships with clients
- Substance abuse
- Transference issues
- Unethical, unprofessional, or negligent acts
- Violating the patient’s confidentiality
Another major issue affecting psychologists in California is when to report a patient for something they said in a therapy session. Historically, everything discussed in the session was protected by the patient-therapist privilege and confidential. Now the law requires mental health professionals to report patients for threats to physically harm another person, or other potentially dangerous statements.
If your psychology license is being reviewed by the Board for a complaint, or if you are facing a civil lawsuit filed by a patient or guardian, you must act quickly to avoid further detriment to your professional standing and reputation. Contact our skilled psychologist defense attorneys in California today for help.
What Happens Once Contact From the Board Turns Into a Case?
Once contact from the Board evolves into an actual case, the investigator will file an internal report, which may result in the filing of a statement of issues, denying an application for licensure, or an accusation, seeking to discipline an existing licensee through a warning, public reproval, probation, suspension, or complete revocation.
If a case is filed, we will defend our client in the Office of Administrative Hearings, or OAH. We engage in discovery, attempt to reach a settlement, and then proceed to an evidentiary hearing or trial, if necessary.
After the trial, the Administrative Law Judge, or ALJ, issues a Proposed Decision, which the Board then either adopts or does not adopt.
If the Board issues a decision unfavorable to the client, we can seek Reconsideration, and if that is denied or not sought at all, we can file a Petition for Writ of Administrative Mandamus or Mandate in the Superior Court.
We will attempt to resolve it in a way that saves your license, protects your reputation, and minimizes or eliminates any disciplinary actions.
We will also use our litigation skills and unique experience to provide premier defense services aimed at protecting the license critical to your work and career if charges arise from the complaint.
How Will the Kosnett Professional Licensing Defense Attorneys for Psychologists in California Help With My Unique Case?
Our experienced Kosnett Professional Licensing Defense Attorneys for Psychologists in California represent clients during the initial investigation, formal actions, statements, administrative hearings, and appeals to help mental health professionals protect their licenses, reputations, and careers.
The law firm’s policy is to provide a free consultation, via telephone, online conference, or in our offices, to every person or business needing legal advice or representation. Our unmatched reputation in California extends throughout the United States, with international practice in the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe & Asia.
Contact our skilled Kosnett Professional Licensing Defense Attorneys for Psychologists in California today to schedule a free consultation by calling (877)-959-2937 or contact us online to learn about our track record of success, and why it is second to none.
