Your psychologist's license suspension means they cannot legally practice, and you need to find a new provider — but your records and any ongoing treatment need careful handling.
A suspended license is different from a revoked one. Suspension is temporary; the psychologist cannot see patients during that time, but the license may be reinstated later. Revocation is permanent. Either way, you cannot continue treatment with that person while the suspension is active, and you should not pay for services during this period.
The suspension is a matter of public record. Your state's psychology licensing board publishes this information, usually on their website. If you discovered the suspension yourself, your psychologist may not have told you yet — some do not, and some practices close without notice. If you learned it from the psychologist, ask them directly: Is the license suspended or revoked? When did it happen? What should you do with your records?
Key Takeaways
- A suspended license means your psychologist cannot legally treat you right now, and you must find a new provider before your current treatment ends.
- Request your complete clinical records in writing from your current psychologist's office, even if the practice is closed, because you own them and will need them for your new provider.
- Your state's psychology licensing board website lists all suspensions and the reason for each one, so you can verify the status yourself.
- If you paid for sessions after the suspension date, you may request a refund, though the practice's financial situation will determine whether you receive one.
- Do not assume your psychologist did anything wrong — suspensions happen for reasons ranging from paperwork violations to criminal charges, and the public record usually states the cause.
How to get your records from a suspended practice
Your clinical records belong to you, not to the psychologist. You have the right to request them in writing, and the office must provide them within a timeframe set by your state — usually 10 to 30 days. Send a letter or email to the practice address, marked "Request for Medical Records," and include your full name, date of birth, and the dates you were treated.
If the practice is closed or the office does not respond, contact your state's psychology licensing board. They can tell you whether the psychologist is required to transfer records to another provider or to a records storage service. Some states require this; others do not. If the board cannot help, your new psychologist can often request the records on your behalf, which sometimes speeds up the process.
Keep copies of your request letter and any response. If the office later claims you never asked, you will have proof. If you paid out of pocket and the practice refuses to send records, that refusal is itself a violation that you can report to the board.
Finding out why the license was suspended
Your state's psychology licensing board website has a searchable database or a list of all current suspensions. Look up your psychologist's name and you will see the suspension date and, in most cases, the reason. Reasons range from administrative (failure to renew continuing education credits, unpaid licensing fees) to serious (criminal charges, patient complaints, substance abuse).
The reason matters for your own safety and for deciding what to do next. An administrative suspension is usually temporary and less concerning. A suspension related to patient harm or criminal conduct is more serious, and you may want to report your own experience to the board if you believe you were harmed.
If the board's website does not list the reason, you can contact the board directly and ask. Some boards publish full disciplinary orders; others release only basic information. The board staff can tell you what is available.
What to do if you paid for sessions after the suspension
If you paid for appointments that occurred after the suspension date, you have grounds to request a refund. The psychologist was not legally permitted to provide those services. Send a written request to the practice, stating the dates of the sessions and the amount you paid, and ask for a refund within 30 days.
If the practice does not respond or refuses, you have a few options. You can file a complaint with your state's psychology licensing board, which may order a refund as part of disciplinary action. You can also pursue the refund through small claims court if the amount is within your state's limit — usually $5,000 to $10,000. Keep all receipts and appointment confirmations.
If the practice has closed or the psychologist has declared bankruptcy, recovering money becomes much harder. In that case, focus on getting your records and finding a new provider rather than spending time on a refund that may not come.
Choosing a new psychologist and transferring your care
Before you see anyone new, verify their license is active and in good standing. Go to your state's psychology licensing board website and search for their name. You should see their license number, the date it was issued, and a status of "active" or "current." If you see anything else, do not schedule an appointment.
When you contact a new psychologist, tell them your previous provider's license was suspended. You do not need to share details about why you were in treatment, but mentioning the suspension helps them understand that you may need to restart some paperwork and that you will be requesting records from your previous provider. Most psychologists expect this and can request records on your behalf.
If you were in the middle of a treatment plan — for example, cognitive behavioral therapy for anxiety — ask your new psychologist whether they can continue that same approach. Continuity helps, though starting fresh with a new provider is also normal and often works well.
Reporting the suspension to your insurance company
If you have health insurance and your suspended psychologist was in-network, contact your insurance company and tell them the license is suspended. Provide the psychologist's name and the suspension date. Insurance companies track this information, and reporting it helps prevent other patients from being billed for illegal services.
If you were billed by the practice after the suspension date, your insurance company may reverse those charges. Ask them directly whether they will do so. If they deny the reversal, you can appeal, and you can include a copy of the suspension notice from the licensing board as evidence that the services were not legally provided.
Whether to report the suspension yourself
You are not required to report a suspended license to anyone. The licensing board already knows — that is how the suspension happened. However, if you believe you were harmed by this psychologist, or if you think they are still seeing patients illegally, you can file a complaint with the board.
A complaint is a formal document describing what happened, when it happened, and how it affected you. The board will investigate. This process takes months and does not result in money for you, but it creates an official record and may lead to stronger disciplinary action. File a complaint only if you are willing to be contacted by the board's investigator and possibly to provide more details later.
If you straightforward want to move on and find a new provider, that is also a reasonable choice. The suspension is already in place, and your priority is your own care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a psychologist with a suspended license still bill me?
No. Any services provided after the suspension date are not legal, and you should not pay for them. If you were billed, request a refund in writing and report it to your state's psychology licensing board. Your insurance company can also reverse charges if you report the suspension to them.
Will my records be lost if the practice closes?
Not necessarily. Many states require psychologists to transfer records to a storage service or another provider before closing. Contact your state's psychology licensing board to find out what happened to your records. If the office will not release them, the board can sometimes intervene.
Does a suspended license mean the psychologist did something illegal?
Not always. Suspensions can be administrative — for example, failure to pay licensing fees or to complete required training. However, some suspensions are for serious reasons like patient harm or criminal charges. Check your state's licensing board website to see the reason listed for this specific suspension.
How long does a suspension usually last?
That varies widely depending on the reason and the state. Some suspensions last a few months; others last years. Some are indefinite until the psychologist meets certain conditions. Your state's licensing board can tell you the expected duration or the conditions for reinstatement.
Should I tell my new psychologist about my previous provider's suspension?
Yes. Mention it briefly so they understand why you need to transfer records and why you may need to restart some paperwork. You do not need to share details about your treatment, only that your previous provider's license was suspended and you are now seeking care elsewhere.