The Ethics of Private Practice helps mental health professionals understand the essential ethical issues related to the many challenges of being in independent practice. Seasoned clinicians Barnett, Zimmerman, and Walfish offer readers astute insight into building a practice that is designed to minimize unintended ethics violations and reduce associated risks. Each chapter focuses on a major aspect of the business of practice and incorporates relevant standards from the ethics codes of four mental health professions. Topics addressed include planning and successfully managing a practice, documentation and record keeping, dealing with third parties and protecting confidentiality, managing practice finances, staff training and office policies, advertising and marketing a practice, continuing professional development activities, and the closing of a private practice. Full of practical tips that can be readily implemented, this handy guide will be the go-to resource for all mental health clinicians in private practice.

PrefaceAcknowledgmentsChapter I: Starting Out: Ethics Issues in Beginning a PracticeBecoming Licensed to PracticeAccuracy and Integrity in Completing Licensure ApplicationsSupervision Prior to LicensureChoosing a PracticePracticing in Health Care SettingsYour Ethics and Legal TeamLocation and Office SettingEthical ChallengesKey Points to Keep in MindPractical RecommendationsPitfalls to AvoidRelevant Ethics Code StandardsReferencesTable 1.1 The Supervisee's ChecklistChapter II: Clinical PracticeScope of PracticeClinical Competence and Accepting ReferralsWait Time and Waiting ListsUnderstanding Informed Consent AssentExceptions to ConfidentialityBoundaries and Multiple RelationshipsAdditional Boundary and Multiple Relationship ChallengesEmergencies and CrisesTermination and AbandonmentEthical ChallengesKey Points to keep in MindPractical RecommendationsPitfalls to AvoidRelevant Ethics Code StandardsReferencesSample Termination LetterChapter III: Documentation and Record KeepingDocumentationHow to DocumentFinancial RecordsUse of Technology and Electronic Health RecordsRecords When More than one Person is Being TreatedRecord Keeping, Storage, and DisposalWhat Happens When a Client is DeceasedEthical ChallengesKey Points to Keep in MindPractical RecommendationsPitfalls to AvoidRelevant Ethics Code StandardsReferencesChapter IV: Dealing with Third Parties and Protecting ConfidentialityGeneral PoliciesSpecial SituationsEthical ChallengesKey Points to Keep in MindPractical RecommendationsPitfalls to AvoidRelevant Ethics Code StandardsReferencesRelease of Information ChecklistChapter V: Financial DecisionsFee Splitting PracticesSetting Fee Scale ArrangementsIncreasing FeesCollectionsCollection ActionsWhen a Client Does Not Want to Use Their InsuranceMedicareInforming Clients About the Nature and Limitations of Their InsuranceAccurate BillingTable 5.1 Accounts of Insurance Fraud by Mental Health Practitioners from an Internet SearchNot All Inaccurate Billing is Due to Fraud or DeceitInformation to be Communicated to Managed Care CompaniesDenial of Care by an InsurerEthical ChallengesKey Points to Keep in MindPractical RecommendationsPitfalls to AvoidRelevant Ethics Code StandardsReferencesChapter VI: Staff Training and Office PoliciesGeneral ProfessionalismConfidentiality, Confidentiality, ConfidentialityDelegation to SubordinatesBoundaries and RelationshipsSecurity of Records and the FacilityPolicies and Procedures: A Safety NetEthical ChallengesKey Points to Keep in MindPractical RecommendationsPitfalls to AvoidRelevant Ethics Code StandardsReferencesEthics Quiz for StaffEnd of the Business Day Lock-Up ChecklistChapter VII: Advertising and MarketingAdvertising and Public StatementsTestimonial EndorsementsUninvited In-Person SolicitationsMarketing Professional ServicesInteracting with the MediaMarketing in the CommunityEthical ChallengesKey Points to Keep in MindPractical RecommendationsPitfalls to AvoidRelevant Ethics Code StandardsReferencesChapter VIII: Continuing Professional DevelopmentReadingsTrainingUse of ListservsPeer Consultation GroupsMentoringPersonal PsychotherapyThe Role of Self-Care, Burnout Prevention, and the Promotion of WellnessStaying Aware of Local Laws, Regulations, and ChangesEthical ChallengesKey Points to Keep in MindPractical RecommendationsPitfalls to AvoidRelevant Ethics Code StandardsReferencesChapter IX: Leaving a PracticeNotifying Your Group That You are Leaving the PracticeTelling Clients That You Will No Longer Be PracticingAssuring for Continuity of CareInforming Referral PartnersMaintenance of RecordsSelling a PracticeMalpractice Insurance into RetirementThe Professional Practice WillBusiness IssuesEthical ChallengesKey Points to Keep in MindPractical RecommendationsPitfalls to AvoidRelevant Ethics Code StandardsReferencesChapter X: Closing Thoughts