Maryland Boards of Professional Counselors and Therapists, Psychologists, and Social Work Examiners

Checked steps and filing details to confirm

• Psychology: use its board complaint form, one per psychologist/associate. Complete the factual summary, witness and event details, and sign/date the affirmation. Email the signed packet to Psychology.Complaints@Maryland.gov. Leave the cover sheet attached; number additional pages and refer clearly to supporting copies.
• Psychology: the form asks for a signed record release for each healthcare provider whose records are authorized. Releases cover the stated service period and last one year. If filing for someone else, explain your relationship and legal authority; declining necessary records can limit the investigation.
• Social Work: complete, print and sign the current complaint and authorization forms; mail with supporting copies to Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners, 4201 Patterson Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215. The 2026 packet asks for custody documentation when applicable. The release has patient/parent/guardian and witness signatures and a one-year expiration.
• Counselors/therapists: the accessible complaints page says to use its complaint link, but that intake link and current packet could not be established. Call 410-764-4732, Compliance option 2, to obtain it. Do not use the new license-application portal to file a consumer complaint.

Supporting guidance: Psychology: complaint page ↗Psychology: complaint and records-release form ↗Psychology: filing instructions ↗Social Work: complaint instructions ↗Social Work: 2026 complaint packet ↗Professional Counselors and Therapists ↗

What this route may not provide

The counselors board excludes ordinary fee disputes and cannot help a patient sue for money; its fines are disciplinary. Refund or compensation powers for Psychology and Social Work were not established. A facility or program is a separate subject from its individual clinician; physician psychiatrists and psychiatric nurses use their own guides.

Supporting guidance: Counselors/therapists: published complaint procedure ↗

Do not guess about confidentiality

Psychology’s form warns that a charged practitioner ordinarily has a right to the complainant’s name and complaint; formal charges may place it in the case record. Counseling rejects anonymous complaints, may seek the subject’s response and publishes formal orders; informal educational action remains nonpublic. Social Work’s form requires identity and a signed release; its anonymous acceptance and full disclosure protections were not established.

Supporting guidance: Psychology: complaint and records-release form ↗Counselors/therapists: published complaint procedure ↗Social Work: 2026 complaint packet ↗

Ask promptly; published investigation estimates vary

No patient incident-to-filing deadline was established. Psychology warns of lengthy processing. Social Work publishes an approximate three-month investigation estimate, with formal proceedings potentially much longer; its webpage cites older statutory material. Counseling describes an 18-month goal that can be exceeded. These are estimates, not reporting extensions or guarantees.

Supporting guidance: Psychology: complaint and records-release form ↗Social Work: complaint instructions ↗Counselors/therapists: published complaint procedure ↗

What may happen after filing

Psychology supplies periodic status and final-outcome notices; investigation can lead to formal charges. Social Work acknowledges, reviews and may investigate, dismiss, use informal action or bring formal charges. Counseling’s review committee may recommend dismissal, informal action or investigation, followed by a board decision and possible charges/hearing. Formal discipline and confidential educational action are different outcomes.

Supporting guidance: Psychology: complaint and records-release form ↗Social Work: complaint instructions ↗Counselors/therapists: published complaint procedure ↗

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.