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Vermont Statutes for Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselors
As part of your intake, you will be asked to sign for receipt of the notice of Vermont Statutes and Regulations. You will be asked to read and sign to acknowledge your receipt of my public disclosure statement.
Clients in Vermont are required to receive a copy of their counselor’s public disclosure because it provides them with a clear understanding of the counselor’s professional qualifications, scope of practice, and ethical obligations, as outlined by the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR). This practice stems from a broader commitment to consumer protection and informed consent. By having direct access to the public disclosure, clients can review the counselor’s license status, any relevant training or areas of specialization, the counselor’s methods or theoretical approaches, and policies on confidentiality, fees, and client rights.
Additionally, this document typically specifies how clients can file a complaint or seek recourse if they believe their rights have been violated or if professional standards are not being met. Having a tangible copy of the public disclosure helps ensure that clients in Vermont have the necessary resources and information to make informed decisions about entering or continuing therapy with a particular counselor. It encourages transparency, fosters a sense of trust, and upholds ethical standards in the counseling profession.
In Vermont, the Office of Professional Regulation (OPR) requires mental health counselors to provide each client with a copy of the applicable statutes and rules for a few key reasons related to consumer protection and informed consent. By giving clients direct access to the regulations that govern mental health counseling, Vermont law helps ensure clients understand their rights, including how to file a complaint or raise concerns about their counselor’s conduct.
The statutes and rules outline ethical obligations, confidentiality requirements, and scope of practice. Having this information in hand allows clients to be better informed about what they can expect from therapy and to hold counselors accountable to professional and legal standards.
Informed consent is not just about treatment methods and risks; it also involves making sure clients know the legal framework under which services are provided. Giving clients a copy of the statutes and rules reinforces the principle that a client’s decision to engage in counseling should be based on a clear understanding of their rights and the counselor’s responsibilities.
The OPR’s primary mandate is to protect the public. Mandating the distribution of statutes and rules to clients is a safeguard—if any questions or disputes arise, the client can refer to the official regulations to guide next steps or clarify misunderstandings. In short, the requirement to provide copies of legislative statutes and rules ensures that clients enter the counseling process fully informed about the legal and ethical context of therapy in Vermont.
The Office of Professional Regulation provides Vermont licenses, certifications, and registrations for over 56,000 practitioners and businesses. Forty-six professions and occupations are supported and managed by this office.
Each profession or occupation is governed by laws defining professional conduct. Consumers who have inquiries or wish to obtain a form to register a complaint may do so by calling (802) 828-1505, or by writing to the Director of the Office, Secretary of State’s Office, 89 Main Street, 3 rd Floor, Montpelier, VT 05620-3402.
Upon receipt of a complaint, an administrative review determines if the issues raised are covered by the applicable professional conduct statute. If so, a committee is assigned to investigate, collect information, and recommend action or closure to the appropriate governing body.
All complaint investigations are confidential. Should the investigation conclude with a decision for disciplinary action against a professional’s license and ability to practice, the name of the license holder will then be made public.
Complaint investigations focus on licensure and fitness of the licensed individual to practice. Disciplinary action, when warranted, ranges from warning to revocation of license, based on the circumstances. You should not expect a return of fees paid or additional unpaid services as part of the results of this process. If you seek restitution of this nature, consider consulting with the Consumer Protection Division of the Office of the Attorney General, retaining an attorney, or filing a case in Small Claims Court.
Chapter 78: Roster of Psychotherapists Who Are Non-licensed
§ 4090. Disclosure of Information
The board shall adopt rules requiring persons entered on the roster to disclose to each client the psychotherapist’s professional qualifications and experience, those actions that constitute unprofessional conduct, and the method for filing a complaint or making a consumer inquiry, and provisions relating to the manner in which the information shall be displayed and signed by both the rostered psychotherapist and the client. The rules may include provisions for applying or modifying these requirements in cases involving institutionalized clients, minors and adults under the supervision of a guardian.
References:
Vermont Office of Professional Regulation (2023). Office of Professional Regulation, Secretary of State.
Retrieved from https://sos.vermont.gov/opr/
Vermont Secretary of State (2023). Mental Health Counselors – Laws & Rules.
Retrieved from https://sos.vermont.gov/opr/regulatory-statutes-rules/mental-health-counselors/