In family therapy, is it legal to treat family members who are in different states?

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Multiple Choice

In family therapy, is it legal to treat family members who are in different states?

The key rule here is that licensure determines where you may legally practice therapy. In telehealth and in-person care, you must be licensed in the state where the client is located at the time of the session. Treating family members who live in different states means you’d be providing therapy to clients in more than one state in one arrangement. Since most licensing boards require you to hold a license in each state where a client is located, you would need multiple licenses to treat all family members, or you’d need to keep all clients in the same state. Parental consent does not override state licensing requirements. So, you’re not legally allowed to treat across licensure jurisdictions unless you hold the appropriate licenses in every state involved.

The key rule here is that licensure determines where you may legally practice therapy. In telehealth and in-person care, you must be licensed in the state where the client is located at the time of the session. Treating family members who live in different states means you’d be providing therapy to clients in more than one state in one arrangement. Since most licensing boards require you to hold a license in each state where a client is located, you would need multiple licenses to treat all family members, or you’d need to keep all clients in the same state. Parental consent does not override state licensing requirements. So, you’re not legally allowed to treat across licensure jurisdictions unless you hold the appropriate licenses in every state involved.

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