Authority and scope
Check the license and concern
Health’s shared intake covers psychologists, professional counselors, marital/family therapists, clinical pastoral therapists, social workers, alcohol/drug abuse counselors, and behavior analysts under their respective boards. Identify the credential and individual involved. Psychiatrists and psychiatric advanced-practice nurses use the medical and nursing guides; a facility complaint may need another route.
Supporting guidance: Health Related Boards complaint guidance and professions ↗
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 — Psychology Board
Shared healthcare-professional intake.
Open this official route ↗Counselors, marital/family and clinical pastoral therapists
Their combined board uses Health intake.
Open this official route ↗Social workers — Social Workers Board
Shared healthcare-professional intake.
Open this official route ↗Alcohol and drug abuse counselors
Their licensing board uses Health intake.
Open this official route ↗Behavior analysts and assistants
Behavior Analysts Board through Health intake.
Open this official route ↗How the official source says to file
- Start with the online healthcare-professional complaint option on the Department’s licensure page. To obtain the correct paper instructions or discuss a telephone report, call 800-852-2187 or 615-532-3421.
- Prepare a separate, factual account for each professional: dates, locations, witnesses, what occurred and relevant document copies. Sign the requested declaration and retain everything you send; submitted materials are not returned.
- The published release authorizes extensive health and financial information, expressly including psychiatric/psychotherapy and substance-use information. It waives specified privileges for the investigation and permits further disclosures. Read it carefully; a parent or legal representative signing for a minor or incapacitated patient must provide proof of authority.
Supporting guidance: Health Related Boards complaint guidance and professions ↗Published PH-3466 complaint and release ↗
What this route may not provide
Professional discipline does not provide fee reimbursement or damages, or decide civil, criminal or custody disputes. Do not assume a private certification or coaching title is one of these regulated credentials.
Supporting guidance: Health Related Boards complaint guidance and professions ↗
Do not guess about confidentiality
Anonymous complaints are accepted but cannot receive updates. The Department describes complainant identities and investigations as confidential; requests for treatment records may nevertheless reveal who complained. Formal disciplinary action is public.
Supporting guidance: Health Related Boards complaint guidance and professions ↗
Ask promptly; investigation review is not a filing deadline
A filing deadline was not established by this check. The Department describes initial review within three business days, followed by investigations that can take months; that is a processing estimate.
Supporting guidance: Health Related Boards complaint guidance and professions ↗
What may happen after filing
Investigators, clinical consultants and attorneys assess the case for closure or board action. Complainants receive an outcome; appeals generally require changed facts.
Supporting guidance: Health Related Boards complaint guidance and professions ↗
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.
Sources and scope
Health Related Boards complaint guidance and professions ↗
Shared applicability, online option, intake contacts, confidentiality and process
Source checked: September 19, 2026
Published PH-3466 complaint and release ↗
Preparation, extensive treatment release, representative proof and conflicting Pharmacy return instructions
Source checked: September 19, 2026
Source check: September 19, 2026. This records a review of the linked material, not a decision about your case. No clinical or legal reviewer is identified for this guide. Confirm current instructions with the receiving authority.