Must a psychologist disclose the unlicensed status of a supervised employee when billing for services?

Disclosing the unlicensed status of a supervised employee when billing for services is essential to maintain transparency and uphold ethical standards in psychological practice. The principle of informed consent implies that clients should be fully aware of who is providing their care and the qualifications of those professionals. This ensures that clients can make informed decisions about the services they are receiving.

By providing such disclosure, the psychologist helps to build trust and demonstrates a commitment to ethical standards and the welfare of their clients. Failure to disclose this information could mislead clients about the level of expertise they are receiving, potentially compromising the quality of care and the therapeutic relationship. Ethical guidelines, such as those from the American Psychological Association, emphasize the importance of honesty and clarity in billing practices, further supporting the necessity of this disclosure.