How to File a Grievance for Board of Behavioral Sciences | Lassen County

BBS Grievance Process:

The Board of Behavioral Sciences is a California state regulatory agency, responsible for licensing, examination, and enforcement of professional standards for:

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT) and Associates (AMFT)

• Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW) Associates (ASW)

• Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC) and Associates (APCC)

• Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP)

Reporting to the Board of Behavioral Sciences: As of July 1, 2020

Beginning July 1, 2020, all mental health counselors, whether licensed or unlicensed, will be required to provide a notice to each of their clients stating where they can file a complaint. (AB 630, Chapter 229, Statutes of 2019)

For new clients, therapists (whether licensed or unlicensed) are required to provide this notice prior to initiating psychotherapy services. For existing clients, provide the notice as soon as possible after July 1, 2020. This information will be available in Lassen County Behavioral Health current grievance brochure and provided to all clients before initiating services.

If you are unlicensed or unregistered with the Board but providing services within the scope of practice of Board licensees in an exempt setting (a governmental entity, a school, college, or university, or an institution that is both nonprofit and charitable), you are required to provide your clients with a notice about how to file a complaint with your agency. The fact that your setting is considered exempt is conditional upon you doing this.

The notice must be in at least 12-point font, and must be in substantially the following form:

NOTICE TO CLIENTS The (Name of office or unit) of the (Name of agency) receives and responds to complaints regarding the practice of psychotherapy by any unlicensed or unregistered counselor providing services at (Name of agency). To file a complaint, contact (Telephone number, email address, internet website, or mailing address of agency).

If you are a Board licensee or registrant, you must provide your clients with a notice in at least 12-point font, that substantially states the following:

NOTICE TO CLIENTS: The Board of Behavioral Sciences receives and responds to complaints regarding services provided within the scope of practice of (marriage and family therapists, licensed educational psychologists, clinical social workers, or professional clinical counselors). You may contact the board online at www.bbs.ca.gov, or by calling (916) 574-7830.