Separate psychology, counselor, social-work, MFT and addiction-counselor boards

How the official source says to file

• Psychology: complete and sign the Board’s complaint, state the facts and include supporting documents. Its complaint page links to the online form.
• Counseling: submit the signed formal complaint form with names, events and dates. If unwilling to sign or seeking anonymity, contact the Board: with concurrence, a Board member may become the complainant when justified. Clearly identify any submitted patient records as patient records.
• Social work: use the prescribed written, signed form; telephone complaints are not accepted. Include specific incidents, dates, people and supporting facts. The form gives complaint@ndboardofsocialwork.com and P.O. Box 914, Bismarck, ND 58502-0914; ask about electronic delivery if needed.
• MFT: the signed form requests complainant, licensee and patient details, relationship to the patient, dates, evidence and witnesses. Confirm where to send it: the linked form names a Bismarck administrator/address, while the current Board page lists Minot and says it currently lacks an administrative assistant.
• Addiction counseling: use the form linked from the Addiction Counseling Examiners complaint page. That Board expressly rejects anonymous complaints. Ask each board about patient/representative consent and any additional release before sending another person’s treatment records.

Supporting guidance: Psychology complaint process ↗Counselor complaint instructions and form ↗Social-work complaint process ↗Social-work complaint form ↗MFT complaint page ↗MFT complaint form ↗Addiction Board complaint instructions ↗

What this route may not provide

These processes concern professional discipline; authority to secure a refund or damages was not established. A facility grievance or a privately issued certification may need another route. For a psychiatrist (MD/DO), use the medical guide; for a psychiatric advanced-practice nurse, use the nursing guide. Identify any facility or program complaint separately from the individual credential.

Supporting guidance: Addiction Board complaint instructions ↗

Do not guess about confidentiality

Social-work complaint forms are open records, although patient/client/minor information is protected; the subject receives a copy. Counseling’s initial complaint/response are not public records, but its form reserves lawful discretionary release and the counselor receives the complaint. Psychology also sends a copy to the respondent. MFT and addiction public-disclosure rules were not established; do not borrow another board’s protections.

Supporting guidance: Psychology complaint process ↗Counselor complaint instructions and form ↗Social-work complaint process ↗Addiction Board complaint instructions ↗

A filing deadline was not established by this check; ask promptly.

A filing deadline was not established by this check; ask promptly. Social work reviews matters at the next quarterly meeting after the licensee’s response. Psychology gives the respondent 20 days to reply. These describe processing, not your filing deadline; no common completion promise applies.

Supporting guidance: Psychology complaint process ↗Social-work complaint process ↗

What may happen after filing

Each board reviews alleged violations and may investigate, close the case or pursue discipline. Psychology and counseling describe possible formal hearings; addiction uses ethics review and may offer informal resolution. Social work sends a written decision.

Supporting guidance: Psychology complaint process ↗Counselor complaint instructions and form ↗Social-work complaint process ↗Addiction Board complaint instructions ↗

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.