I believe a therapy practice treated me (a client/patient) unethically

March 14, 2023 12:50 AM

What are my options in terms of reporting and recourse? I am not interested in a) trying to recoup money or b) getting anyone's license revoked. I am interested in accountability from the practice/company.

I am located in MA.

I found this: https://healthprofessionlicensing.mass.gov/public-complaints

But it looks like I can only file a complaint against an individual, rather than a facility, which is what I'm hoping to do. But maybe I'm reading it wrong?

Should I try the BBB? Other options?

posted by CancerSucks to Grab Bag (7 answers total)

I'd approach the practice manager. Ask for their code of conduct. Ask for an apology. Work from the premise that they want to do good.
posted by Thella at 1:35 AM on March 14, 2023

Response by poster: Thella, that conversation has sadly already happened and did not go well.
posted by CancerSucks at 1:43 AM on March 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

Should I try the BBB?

Thats no different from writing a bad Yelp review.
posted by NotMyselfRightNow at 4:29 AM on March 14, 2023 [5 favorites]

You can report just the facility. If you click the "File Complaint" button on the page you linked to and scroll down about halfway, you get to this section:

"Licensee Information - Business Information
Please provide the business name and address if the complaint is about a business license."

From this page: https://healthprofessionlicensing.mass.gov/public-complaints
"Currently you may use the online form to submit health care fraud complaints against the following health professions and facilities:" (My bold)

There is a phone # on this page if you have questions or need support: https://www.mass.gov/how-to/file-a-complaint-with-the-bureau-of-health-professions-licensure

I'm sorry you're in this situation. Best of luck.
posted by prewar lemonade at 4:53 AM on March 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

This is hard to answer without specifics—was it a therapist who treated you unethically, or someone else? The use of practice makes me wonder if you are talking about something on the admin side, or scheduling. That would be different than if a therapist treated you unethically over the course of treatment. If it was a therapist, it depends on their specific license, do you know that?
posted by brook horse at 6:50 AM on March 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

Licenses are not revoked casually. I would write a letter to the licensing board and copy it to the professional organization. They should investigate. I would not expect much action. Your letter should use simple declarative sentences, describe events sequentially, and describe the consequences you experienced as a result. Read about the standards for the professional license; that will help you describe things usefully.

A formal complaint should remind the practice of the importance and consequences of their work. I've experienced poor practice from an MSW therapist and am sorry I did not complain, but it hit you when you are extremely vulnerable.
posted by theora55 at 8:00 AM on March 14, 2023 [4 favorites]

If you used any insurance to pay for services I wonder if filing a complaint with them might not also be another way of addressing this? If such a pathway exists (I have no idea), while I doubt it would have much actual teeth, it would, I think, be another signal to the practice (from an important business partner that directly affects their bottom line) that they messed up.
posted by flamk at 8:55 AM on March 14, 2023