SECTION 465.17. Therapy and Counseling

(a) Imbalances of Power.

(1) Licensees who engage in therapy or counseling recognize the actual or perceived power or undue influence they hold over current and former patients and clients.

(2) Licensees are presumed to have power and influence over former therapy or counseling patients or clients.

(3) Licensees do not engage in sexual relationships with, employ, enter into business with or otherwise exploit any former patient or client over whom they have actual or perceived power or undue influence created through a therapeutic relationship.

(b) Treatment plans.

(1) Licensees create specific written treatment plans that include, at a minimum, agreed upon goals of the treatment, the techniques to be used, and the tentative duration of the treatment for any therapy or counseling that they provide.

(2) Licensees explain the treatment plan to all recipients of the therapy or counseling before commencing the services.

(3) Licensees alter and document the alteration in the treatment plan when clinically indicated.

(4) Licensees confer with and obtain consent from the patient, client, or other recipient(s) of services concerning significant alterations in the treatment plan.

Source Note: The provisions of this §465.17 adopted to be effective October 7, 2020, 45 TexReg 7013