Alaska State Statutes and Regulations

www.commerce.state.ak.us/occ/pmft.htm

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Legislation and Policy Resources at the AAMFT website

www.aamft.org/Advocacy/index.asp

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 A law, which went effect November 1, 2003, has several provisions that the LMFT needs to be informed about. You can read the law specifically by checking out the State Web page in Legislative action. It was referred to as HB 135. I will also outline the provisions below. Essentially it provides the following.

1) Spells out specific guidelines for sexual misconduct. The law provides that 2 years must pass after therapy is completed prior to a therapist entering into a sexual relationship with a former client.

2) It provides for protection to potential victims of serious harm by making exceptions to the confidentiality law. The law states that a therapist may notify law enforcement or a potential victim if he/she believes that a client may commit physical harm.

3) It makes exception to the confidentiality law and allows an LMFT to report unethical or illegal acts by another licensed mental health professional to their respective board.

4) Limits the practice of LMFTs to areas of education and/or specialized training.

5) Requires that all LMFTs provide a "Disclosure Statement" to the client before the performance of their services with provisions spelled out. An example follows later.

6) Allows the MFT Regulatory Board to order a licensee to submit to reasonable physical or mental examination if the board has credible evidence to conclude that a client's safety may be an issue.

LMFTs working in an agency setting are not exempt from this law so it may be cumbersome for some of you to include an addition to or a separate "Disclosure Statement" to your clients.

Example Statement of Understanding

(1) Bill Plattee Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist Counseling Associates of Southeast 408 Gold St., Juneau, AK. 99801

(2) Bachelors Degree in Social Work 1968, New York University Masters Degree in Psychology with Concentration in Marital and Family Therapy Antioch University, 1981

(3) Areas of Specialization: Couples counseling Divorce mediation Alcohol/drugs as a family issue Family crisis intervention Grief and loss issues Life transition issues Depression/anxiety Parenting issues

(4) Fee: $120.00 per session

(5) This counseling relationship will abide by the confidentiality regulations set forth by state and federal regulations for Marriage and Family Therapists. There are exceptions to these regulations for which the counselor is obliged to communicate to an outside party. I will be happy to discuss these exceptions.

(6) "This information is required by the Board of Marriage and Family Therapy, which regulates all licensed marital and family therapists." State of Alaska, Board of Marital and Family Therapy P.O. Box 110806 Juneau, AK. 99811-0806 (907) 465-2551.
 

If you have any questions regarding this law you may contact the Licensing Examiner for Marital and Family Therapy, Eleanor Vinson at
(907) 465-2551
(907) 465-2974 fax
eleanor.vinson@alaska.gov
P.O. Box 110806
Juneau, AK 99811-0806