What Can an Attorney Do For Me and My Mental Health Practice?

Peace of mind and confidence in your practice are essential to allowing you to focus on what matters most to your business- the practice of therapy. Rachel Gallagher has worked as an ethics attorney with the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapists (AAMFT), then joined Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to draft the rules and standards of conduct for Colorado’s new profession of Facilitation. Rachel has trusted experience and unique insight into the practice of mental health, and can take the stress of regulatory compliance and perplexing ethical considerations off your mind– so you can get back to what matters most.

Checkups

What is a Checkup?
A checkup is just like going to your doctor for a routine exam, but instead, it’s taking your practice to a lawyer for compliance, ethics, and best practice review! You send me the documents you are using in your practice and receive:

  • A comprehensive document review
  • A worksheet identifying any issues with documents/practice
  • A 1 hour phone call discussing my findings and the Worksheet

Checkup Types:

Intake Only ($600) –
Treat me like a new client, I’ll review all your intake, including required disclosures, privacy and confidentiality paperwork given to clients, informed consent, etc. and let you know if you need to make adjustments to comply with CO or Federal Law.
Policy Only ($600) –
I’ll review your internal policies, like records (contents storage, access, destruction), employment, technology and telehealth, and advise on compliance and best practices
Full Practice Checkups ($1200) –
Includes everything listed above

Ethics/Legal Advisement Consultation

What is an Ethics/Legal Advisement Consultation?

Just like you consult with peers and consultation groups on difficult cases that might require collaboration or the exploration of a new modality or technique, some cases may require you to consult with an attorney who has specialized in therapeutic ethics and law. A consultation costs $85 for a one-time, up to thirty minute phone call. This service is not to be confused with the free, twenty minute consultation offered to determine if I am the right attorney to handle a case.

Common Consultation Issues are:

  • Duty to Warn/ Mandatory Reporting
    Therapists frequently encounter malpractice lawsuits, license discipline , and even criminal charges for failure to abide by the duty to warn and mandatory reporting cases. This mandate can be difficult to balance with the equally important sanctity of the confidentiality therapists must uphold. If you are struggling with a case that might invoke a mandatory disclosure, reach out and get the assurance of legal advice.
  • Privacy/Confidentiality/HIPAA
    Subpoenas, record requests by parents of minor and adolescent clients, defamatory patient reviews, and tech issues frequently raise confusion about when, where, and how therapists are expected to safeguard client data. Call me if you want to take the stress out of balancing your obligations and your client’s privacy.
  • Business
    Running a business comes with its own slew of legal issues. Business structures, employment law, advertising and BOI reporting are all things that can interrupt the work that matters- helping your clients. Reach out and schedule a call today.

Subscription Services

Everything you need to have peace of mind in your practice. Does not include representation in legal matters, including subpoenas, malpractice lawsuits, workers compensation etc.

The Duty to Warn / Mandatory Reporting / Common Issue Consultations ($95, billed monthly)–
Schedule a thirty minute consultation, up to two times a month, with an attorney available for any mental health practice-related issues that come up, from HIPAA, employment disputes, to difficult client situations.
Startup Special ($2,400, billed as $200 per month over 12 months)-
For therapeutic practices that are less than twelve months old, and professionals who are in their first year of private practice. An annual practice check up for your paperwork and policies, and the peace of mind to have the ability to schedule a thirty minute consultation, up to three times a month.
Full Subscription Package ($4,200, billed as $350 per month over 12 months)–
An annual practice check up for your paperwork and policies, and the peace of mind to have the ability to schedule a thirty minute consultation, up to three times a month

Schedule an Initial Consult

A Lawyer for Your Community, in Your Community

Offering flexible fee and affordable legal services in Teller, Park, and El Paso Counties, as well as virtual consults and services for healthcare providers across the state of Colorado.

You can also find me on Facebook!

P.O. Box 63
Woodland Park CO 80866-0063

Contact Me