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Filing a Licensing Board Complaint: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents
To file a licensing board complaint, first confirm the counselor's license and which state board issued it.
To file a licensing board complaint, first confirm the counselor's license and which state board issued it. Then gather records, bills, messages, and a dated timeline. Write a factual account of what the counselor said and did, and submit it through the board's online system or by mail with your documents attached. In Colorado, intake can take up to 10 days; the counselor typically receives a copy of the complaint, and a filed complaint cannot be withdrawn. If the board finds a violation, outcomes range from admonition or fines to suspension or revocation of a license. Boards cannot award money, so talk with an attorney about refunds.
Quick Takeaways
Every licensed counselor answers to a state board, and the license tells you which one.
A clear, dated timeline is one of the most useful things you can give a board.
Attach your documents when you file, since adding them later can cause delays.
The counselor will likely see your complaint, and in Colorado, it cannot be withdrawn.
Filing helps protect other children, even when the process feels slow.
Step 1: Confirm the License
Ask for the license type, such as licensed professional counselor (LPC), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or psychologist, along with the license number and issuing state. Then look it up with that state's licensing agency. The license tells you which board to contact.
If the person holds no license, a board may have no authority over them. State rules on "conversion therapy" generally cover licensed providers only, as CT4F's overview of "conversion therapy" laws by state explains.
Step 2: Gather Your Evidence
Colorado's licensing division suggests sending supporting documents with your complaint, such as medical records, witness information, personal statements, billing records, and photos. As your child's parent, you are usually their personal representative under the federal health privacy law (HIPAA), which generally lets you request their health records. You do not have a right to a provider's psychotherapy notes, and state law can affect access. Save emails, texts, handouts, and intake forms too.
Step 3: Write a Clear, Factual Account
Describe what happened in order, with dates. Quote the counselor's words when you can. Note any promise to change who your child is attracted to or how they see themselves, any pressure placed on your child, and any request to keep sessions from you.
It can help to know the professional standards a board will weigh. CT4F's look at why professional organizations reject "conversion therapy" explain the ethics in plain language.
Step 4: Submit to the Right Board
Most boards accept complaints online or by mail. Colorado, for example, offers an online complaint system and paper forms you can mail with your documents. The state also accepts anonymous complaints, but it encourages you to share contact information, because a complaint may be dismissed if the board cannot reach you.
Step 5: Know What Happens Next
Intake: In Colorado, intake can take up to 10 days. You then receive a letter with a case number.
Review: The board checks whether a law or rule may have been broken. It may resolve the case, investigate further, or refer it to investigators.
Notice: The counselor typically receives a copy of your complaint and documents.
Outcomes: These can include admonition, probation, continuing education, fines, suspension or revocation, or referral to the attorney general.
Privacy: Colorado cannot release information about complaints that do not lead to public discipline.
Why Your Complaint Matters
Families, not counselors working behind closed doors, know what is best for their children. A complaint helps make sure a parent's role is respected, as CT4F's legal guide to parental rights and "conversion therapy" explains. It also holds licensed professionals to the standard set by medical experts, outlined in why major medical associations oppose "conversion therapy".
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I file a complaint against a therapist?
Find the state board that issued the therapist's license, gather your documents, and submit a written complaint online or by mail.
How long does a licensing board complaint take?
It varies. In Colorado, intake alone can take up to 10 days, and boards meet monthly, every other month, or quarterly.
Can I withdraw a licensing board complaint?
Not in Colorado. Once a complaint is filed, it cannot be withdrawn.
Can I get my child's therapy records?
Usually. Parents are generally their child's personal representative under the federal health privacy law (HIPAA), though psychotherapy notes are excluded and state law can limit access.
What can a licensing board do to a counselor?
Outcomes can include admonition, probation, continuing education, fines, or suspension or revocation of a license. Boards cannot award damages.
Sources and Further Reading
Filing and Board Process
Records and Privacy
CT4F Resources for Families
Recent posts
Filing a Licensing Board Complaint: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents
To file a licensing board complaint, first confirm the counselor's license and which state board issued it.
To file a licensing board complaint, first confirm the counselor's license and which state board issued it. Then gather records, bills, messages, and a dated timeline. Write a factual account of what the counselor said and did, and submit it through the board's online system or by mail with your documents attached. In Colorado, intake can take up to 10 days; the counselor typically receives a copy of the complaint, and a filed complaint cannot be withdrawn. If the board finds a violation, outcomes range from admonition or fines to suspension or revocation of a license. Boards cannot award money, so talk with an attorney about refunds.
Quick Takeaways
Every licensed counselor answers to a state board, and the license tells you which one.
A clear, dated timeline is one of the most useful things you can give a board.
Attach your documents when you file, since adding them later can cause delays.
The counselor will likely see your complaint, and in Colorado, it cannot be withdrawn.
Filing helps protect other children, even when the process feels slow.
Step 1: Confirm the License
Ask for the license type, such as licensed professional counselor (LPC), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or psychologist, along with the license number and issuing state. Then look it up with that state's licensing agency. The license tells you which board to contact.
If the person holds no license, a board may have no authority over them. State rules on "conversion therapy" generally cover licensed providers only, as CT4F's overview of "conversion therapy" laws by state explains.
Step 2: Gather Your Evidence
Colorado's licensing division suggests sending supporting documents with your complaint, such as medical records, witness information, personal statements, billing records, and photos. As your child's parent, you are usually their personal representative under the federal health privacy law (HIPAA), which generally lets you request their health records. You do not have a right to a provider's psychotherapy notes, and state law can affect access. Save emails, texts, handouts, and intake forms too.
Step 3: Write a Clear, Factual Account
Describe what happened in order, with dates. Quote the counselor's words when you can. Note any promise to change who your child is attracted to or how they see themselves, any pressure placed on your child, and any request to keep sessions from you.
It can help to know the professional standards a board will weigh. CT4F's look at why professional organizations reject "conversion therapy" explain the ethics in plain language.
Step 4: Submit to the Right Board
Most boards accept complaints online or by mail. Colorado, for example, offers an online complaint system and paper forms you can mail with your documents. The state also accepts anonymous complaints, but it encourages you to share contact information, because a complaint may be dismissed if the board cannot reach you.
Step 5: Know What Happens Next
Intake: In Colorado, intake can take up to 10 days. You then receive a letter with a case number.
Review: The board checks whether a law or rule may have been broken. It may resolve the case, investigate further, or refer it to investigators.
Notice: The counselor typically receives a copy of your complaint and documents.
Outcomes: These can include admonition, probation, continuing education, fines, suspension or revocation, or referral to the attorney general.
Privacy: Colorado cannot release information about complaints that do not lead to public discipline.
Why Your Complaint Matters
Families, not counselors working behind closed doors, know what is best for their children. A complaint helps make sure a parent's role is respected, as CT4F's legal guide to parental rights and "conversion therapy" explains. It also holds licensed professionals to the standard set by medical experts, outlined in why major medical associations oppose "conversion therapy".
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I file a complaint against a therapist?
Find the state board that issued the therapist's license, gather your documents, and submit a written complaint online or by mail.
How long does a licensing board complaint take?
It varies. In Colorado, intake alone can take up to 10 days, and boards meet monthly, every other month, or quarterly.
Can I withdraw a licensing board complaint?
Not in Colorado. Once a complaint is filed, it cannot be withdrawn.
Can I get my child's therapy records?
Usually. Parents are generally their child's personal representative under the federal health privacy law (HIPAA), though psychotherapy notes are excluded and state law can limit access.
What can a licensing board do to a counselor?
Outcomes can include admonition, probation, continuing education, fines, or suspension or revocation of a license. Boards cannot award damages.
Sources and Further Reading
Filing and Board Process
Records and Privacy
CT4F Resources for Families
Recent posts
Filing a Licensing Board Complaint: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents
To file a licensing board complaint, first confirm the counselor's license and which state board issued it.
To file a licensing board complaint, first confirm the counselor's license and which state board issued it. Then gather records, bills, messages, and a dated timeline. Write a factual account of what the counselor said and did, and submit it through the board's online system or by mail with your documents attached. In Colorado, intake can take up to 10 days; the counselor typically receives a copy of the complaint, and a filed complaint cannot be withdrawn. If the board finds a violation, outcomes range from admonition or fines to suspension or revocation of a license. Boards cannot award money, so talk with an attorney about refunds.
Quick Takeaways
Every licensed counselor answers to a state board, and the license tells you which one.
A clear, dated timeline is one of the most useful things you can give a board.
Attach your documents when you file, since adding them later can cause delays.
The counselor will likely see your complaint, and in Colorado, it cannot be withdrawn.
Filing helps protect other children, even when the process feels slow.
Step 1: Confirm the License
Ask for the license type, such as licensed professional counselor (LPC), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), or psychologist, along with the license number and issuing state. Then look it up with that state's licensing agency. The license tells you which board to contact.
If the person holds no license, a board may have no authority over them. State rules on "conversion therapy" generally cover licensed providers only, as CT4F's overview of "conversion therapy" laws by state explains.
Step 2: Gather Your Evidence
Colorado's licensing division suggests sending supporting documents with your complaint, such as medical records, witness information, personal statements, billing records, and photos. As your child's parent, you are usually their personal representative under the federal health privacy law (HIPAA), which generally lets you request their health records. You do not have a right to a provider's psychotherapy notes, and state law can affect access. Save emails, texts, handouts, and intake forms too.
Step 3: Write a Clear, Factual Account
Describe what happened in order, with dates. Quote the counselor's words when you can. Note any promise to change who your child is attracted to or how they see themselves, any pressure placed on your child, and any request to keep sessions from you.
It can help to know the professional standards a board will weigh. CT4F's look at why professional organizations reject "conversion therapy" explain the ethics in plain language.
Step 4: Submit to the Right Board
Most boards accept complaints online or by mail. Colorado, for example, offers an online complaint system and paper forms you can mail with your documents. The state also accepts anonymous complaints, but it encourages you to share contact information, because a complaint may be dismissed if the board cannot reach you.
Step 5: Know What Happens Next
Intake: In Colorado, intake can take up to 10 days. You then receive a letter with a case number.
Review: The board checks whether a law or rule may have been broken. It may resolve the case, investigate further, or refer it to investigators.
Notice: The counselor typically receives a copy of your complaint and documents.
Outcomes: These can include admonition, probation, continuing education, fines, suspension or revocation, or referral to the attorney general.
Privacy: Colorado cannot release information about complaints that do not lead to public discipline.
Why Your Complaint Matters
Families, not counselors working behind closed doors, know what is best for their children. A complaint helps make sure a parent's role is respected, as CT4F's legal guide to parental rights and "conversion therapy" explains. It also holds licensed professionals to the standard set by medical experts, outlined in why major medical associations oppose "conversion therapy".
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I file a complaint against a therapist?
Find the state board that issued the therapist's license, gather your documents, and submit a written complaint online or by mail.
How long does a licensing board complaint take?
It varies. In Colorado, intake alone can take up to 10 days, and boards meet monthly, every other month, or quarterly.
Can I withdraw a licensing board complaint?
Not in Colorado. Once a complaint is filed, it cannot be withdrawn.
Can I get my child's therapy records?
Usually. Parents are generally their child's personal representative under the federal health privacy law (HIPAA), though psychotherapy notes are excluded and state law can limit access.
What can a licensing board do to a counselor?
Outcomes can include admonition, probation, continuing education, fines, or suspension or revocation of a license. Boards cannot award damages.
Sources and Further Reading
Filing and Board Process
Records and Privacy
CT4F Resources for Families