Minnesota Behavioral health Complaint Route

Authority and scope

Check the license and concern

Psychology handles psychologists and licensed behavior analysts. Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) handles LPCs, LPCCs, LADCs, temporary alcohol/drug counseling permits, and its listed applicants or practice privileges. Social Work handles licensed social workers, applicants, and prohibited unlicensed practice or titles. Marriage and Family Therapy handles LMFTs, LAMFTs, and applicants; its form also addresses unlicensed practice. Match the provider’s actual credential to its board.

Supporting guidance: BBHT filing instructions ↗Psychology filing instructions ↗Social Work complaint instructions ↗MFT complaint instructions ↗MFT complaint form ↗

Match the route to the credential

Use the license listed in the practitioner's records or official license lookup. A psychiatrist is a physician; psychiatric nurses have nursing credentials. Some psychologists have prescribing authority, so medication alone does not identify the licensing board.

Choose the right licensing authority

Psychologists and licensed behavior analysts

Separate Psychology online or notarized paper process.

Open this official route ↗

LPC, LPCC, and alcohol/drug counselors

BBHT written complaint route, including its listed permit holders and applicants.

Open this official route ↗

Social workers

Separate Social Work written process; county exemption matters.

Open this official route ↗

Marriage-and-family therapists

Separate MFT written process; LMFT and LAMFT credentials.

Open this official route ↗

Submission

How the official source says to file

Psychology: use its account-based online process or complete, notarize, and submit the paper form by mail, fax, or personal delivery. The page includes behavior analysts although the linked paper form still describes psychologists.
BBHT: send a written complaint, optionally using its September 2026 form, by email, fax, or mail. Verbal complaints are not accepted. Include facts, dates, witnesses, and supporting copies rather than original documents; complete the form’s signature and truth declaration.
Social Work: send a written complaint by email, fax, or mail. Its form expressly accepts an electronic signature. Provide the chronology, identifying information, and supporting documents.
MFT: send a written complaint by mail or mft.board@state.mn.us. Its form is optional; the linked form asks for a signature and describes how complaint information may be used. Use each board’s own contact details on its linked page.

Supporting guidance: Psychology filing instructions ↗Psychology complaint form ↗BBHT filing instructions ↗BBHT complaint form, September 2026 ↗Social Work complaint instructions ↗Social Work complaint form ↗MFT complaint instructions ↗MFT complaint form ↗

Limits

What this route may not provide

BBHT expressly excludes clinics, hospitals, and mental-health or substance-use treatment facilities from its authority. Social Work cannot act against unlicensed county social workers because county licensure is voluntary. The MFT board excludes fee disputes and other relief beyond professional discipline. Compensation powers were not established for the other boards. Psychiatrist and psychiatric advanced-practice-nurse concerns use the medical and nursing guides.

Supporting guidance: BBHT filing instructions ↗Social Work complaint instructions ↗MFT complaint instructions ↗

Anonymity

Do not guess about confidentiality

BBHT and MFT expressly accept anonymous complaints, with possible investigative limits; BBHT cannot provide anonymous filers with status or outcome notices. Anonymity acceptance was not established for Psychology or Social Work. These boards’ forms describe complainant identity as nonpublic, while allowing specified official disclosures. Information supporting disciplinary or corrective action may become public. Psychology and MFT may seek the practitioner’s records and response.

Supporting guidance: BBHT filing instructions ↗BBHT complaint form, September 2026 ↗Psychology complaint form ↗Social Work complaint form ↗MFT complaint form ↗Psychology filing instructions ↗MFT complaint instructions ↗

Complaint timing

No patient filing deadline established; acknowledgment periods are separate.

A filing deadline was not established by this check; ask promptly. Psychology, BBHT, and Social Work describe receipt acknowledgment within 14 days. MFT says resolution can take weeks or months. These statements are not deadlines to report an incident.

Supporting guidance: BBHT filing instructions ↗Psychology complaint form ↗Social Work complaint instructions ↗MFT complaint instructions ↗

Process

What may happen after filing

Psychology, BBHT, and MFT describe board review and possible investigation, closure, corrective action, or discipline; contested matters may require a hearing. Social Work acknowledges the complaint and provides investigative contact information when applicable. Each board controls its own case and notices.

Supporting guidance: BBHT filing instructions ↗Psychology filing instructions ↗Social Work complaint instructions ↗MFT complaint instructions ↗

Evidence

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.