Board of Psychology; Board of Behavioral Sciences; DHCS for registered/certified addiction counselors

How the official source says to file

• Psychology: use its linked online entry or signed paper form; attach supporting copies. Mail the form to 1625 North Market Boulevard, Suite N-215, Sacramento, CA 95834. Complete its treatment-record authorization, including patient or authorized representative signature. Psychology’s release includes psychiatric/substance-use records and interagency sharing, and warns that released information may lose federal privacy protection.
• BBS: use its online entry or sign the paper complaint and attached release. Describe therapy dates, locations, witnesses and relevant events; provide copies. For joint legal custody, the form requests the custody order. Mail to 1625 North Market Boulevard, Suite S200, Sacramento, CA 95834.
• DHCS counselor complaints: use the linked online/printable form or contact sudcomplaints@dhcs.ca.gov or 877-685-8333. Mail to PO Box 997413, MS 2601, Sacramento, CA 95899-7413, or fax 916-440-5094. Confirm counselor identity and any representative-consent requirements.

Supporting guidance: California Psychology: filing a complaint ↗California Psychology: complaint and release ↗California BBS: complaint and release ↗DHCS: licensing and certification complaints ↗

What this route may not provide

Psychology excludes ordinary fee disputes, business matters and personality conflicts. Repayment authority at BBS and DHCS was not established. DHCS also investigates specified treatment programs, but a program complaint is distinct from an individual’s professional license or counselor certification. Identify each credential and each subject of the complaint.

Supporting guidance: California Psychology: filing a complaint ↗DHCS: licensing and certification complaints ↗

Do not guess about confidentiality

Psychology and BBS review anonymous complaints but missing identity or evidence can prevent action. Psychology says investigations are confidential, yet the subject eventually receives the complaint and formal accusations become public. BBS’s form permits sharing personal information with the subject and government agencies, plus legally authorized public-record disclosures. Its release covers all treatment information and lasts through investigation/prosecution; third-party complaints can be limited by patient-consent requirements. DHCS counselor anonymity and record-disclosure rules were not established.

Supporting guidance: California Psychology: filing a complaint ↗California BBS: consumer complaints ↗California BBS: complaint and release ↗

Ask promptly; distinguish processing estimates from filing limits

A filing deadline was not established by this check; ask the relevant authority promptly. Psychology states acknowledgment within ten days and a process potentially lasting two years. Those are processing estimates. DHCS program incident-reporting duties are not a general patient complaint deadline.

Supporting guidance: California Psychology: filing a complaint ↗DHCS: licensing and certification complaints ↗

What may happen after filing

Psychology may seek records, investigate, close a matter, resolve it by agreement or pursue a hearing and discipline. BBS acknowledges and reviews complaints and supplies disposition information. DHCS says complainants may request investigation results after closure; disclosure is handled through its public-record process.

Supporting guidance: California Psychology: filing a complaint ↗California BBS: consumer complaints ↗DHCS: licensing and certification complaints ↗

Prepare a reviewable submission

State the concern you want reviewed, give a short chronology and factual consequences, and explain your request. Keep supporting records and follow the receiving authority’s instructions before attaching or sending them.