George Iannetta's Virginia license suspension and what it means for his patients
George Iannetta, a therapist who practiced in Virginia, had his professional license suspended by the Virginia Department of Health Professions. The suspension resulted from a disciplinary action, meaning the state licensing board found violations of professional conduct standards and removed his authority to practice therapy in Virginia. Patients who were seeing him needed to find a new provider, and his name was added to Virginia's public list of disciplined healthcare professionals.
The specifics of why his license was suspended — the exact violations cited and the dates involved — are part of the public record maintained by Virginia's licensing board. Anyone seeking details about the case can search the Virginia Department of Health Professions disciplinary database, which lists all licensed professionals who have faced action and includes summaries of the violations.
Key Takeaways
- Virginia's Department of Health Professions maintains a public database of all licensed professionals who have faced disciplinary action, including license suspensions.
- A license suspension means a therapist is prohibited from practicing in that state and cannot legally provide therapy services to patients.
- Patients of a suspended therapist must transition to another provider and may have questions about their treatment records and continuity of care.
- The disciplinary record is public information and can be searched by name through the Virginia Department of Health Professions website.
How to find disciplinary records for Virginia therapists
Virginia's Department of Health Professions publishes a searchable database called the Practitioner Profile Search. You can search by the therapist's name, license number, or the type of license held. The database shows whether a license is active, suspended, revoked, or expired, and it includes a summary of any disciplinary action taken.
To access this database, visit the Virginia Department of Health Professions website and select the Practitioner Profile Search tool. Enter the therapist's name and the type of license (such as Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, or Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist). The results will show the current status of the license and, if applicable, a description of the disciplinary action.
The information in this database is updated regularly as new cases are resolved. If you are looking for recent action, check back periodically, as there can be a lag between when a case is decided and when it appears in the searchable database.
What a license suspension means for therapy patients
When a therapist's license is suspended, they are legally barred from practicing therapy in Virginia. They cannot see patients, bill insurance, or hold themselves out as a licensed mental health professional in that state. A suspension is different from a revocation (which is permanent) or a voluntary surrender (which the therapist initiates), but the practical effect is the same: the therapist cannot legally provide therapy services.
Patients who were in active treatment with a suspended therapist face an when ready need to find a new provider. Depending on the nature of the suspension and the therapist's circumstances, the patient may or may not receive advance notice. Some therapists notify their patients directly; others do not. If you discover your therapist's license has been suspended, contact their office to confirm and ask about the status of your treatment records and any outstanding sessions.
Accessing your therapy records after a provider's license suspension
Your therapy records belong to you, even if your therapist's license has been suspended. Virginia law requires mental health professionals to maintain patient records and to provide copies to patients or their designated representative upon request. If your therapist's office is still operating, contact them directly and request your records in writing.
If the office has closed or is not responding, contact the Virginia Department of Health Professions. They can sometimes provide information about how to retrieve records from a suspended or closed practice. You may also contact your insurance company, which may have copies of records related to claims they processed.
There is typically a small fee for copying records, though Virginia law caps this at a reasonable amount. Ask about the fee before you submit your request, and allow time for processing — offices are not required to provide records when ready, though they must do so within a reasonable timeframe.
Finding a new therapist in Virginia
If your therapist's license has been suspended, you will need to find a new provider. Start by contacting your insurance company to ask for a list of in-network mental health professionals in your area. If you do not have insurance or prefer to pay out of pocket, you can search the Virginia Department of Health Professions Practitioner Profile Search to verify that a therapist's license is active before you schedule an appointment.
Other resources for finding a therapist include Psychology Today's therapist finder, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Virginia chapter, and your primary care doctor, who can provide referrals. If you are in crisis, contact the Virginia Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988.
Understanding Virginia's therapist licensing and discipline process
Virginia licenses several types of mental health professionals, including Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Licensed Psychologists. Each license type is regulated by the Virginia Department of Health Professions, which investigates complaints and takes disciplinary action when violations are found.
The disciplinary process typically begins with a complaint filed by a patient, another healthcare provider, or a member of the public. The department investigates the complaint, and if they find evidence of a violation, they may take action ranging from a warning or fine to suspension or revocation of the license. The therapist has the right to respond to the complaint and, in many cases, to request a hearing before the licensing board.
Common reasons for discipline include violations of patient confidentiality, inappropriate conduct with patients, failure to maintain proper records, practicing without a current license, and violations of the state's ethical standards for mental health professionals. The specific violations in any case are documented in the disciplinary record.
What to do if you were a patient of a suspended therapist
If you were receiving therapy from George Iannetta or another therapist whose license has been suspended, your first step is to find your records and find a new provider. Contact the therapist's office directly and request your records in writing. Keep a copy of your request and any response you receive.
If you have concerns about the quality of care you received or believe you were harmed, you can file a complaint with the Virginia Department of Health Professions. Complaints can be submitted online through their website or by mail. The department will investigate and determine whether additional action is warranted. Filing a complaint does not cost anything and does not require a lawyer.
If you are struggling with the transition to a new therapist, that is normal. Therapy is a relationship, and starting over with someone new can feel difficult. A new therapist can help you process that transition and continue your treatment without interruption.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if a Virginia therapist's license is currently active?
Search the Virginia Department of Health Professions Practitioner Profile Search by the therapist's name. The database will show whether the license is active, suspended, revoked, or expired. If you see "suspended" or "revoked," the therapist cannot legally practice in Virginia.
Can a suspended therapist ever practice again in Virginia?
It depends on the terms of the suspension. Some suspensions are temporary and include conditions the therapist must meet to have the license reinstated. Others are permanent. The disciplinary record will indicate whether reinstatement is possible and what steps would be required.
What should I tell my insurance company if my therapist's license is suspended?
Contact your insurance company and inform them that your therapist's license has been suspended and you need to transition to a new provider. They can help you find an in-network therapist and may be able to expedite approval for a new treatment plan without requiring a new authorization period.
Can I sue a therapist whose license was suspended?
License suspension and civil lawsuits are separate matters. You may have grounds to pursue a civil claim for damages if you believe you were harmed by the therapist's conduct. Consult with an attorney who handles medical malpractice or professional liability cases to discuss your specific situation.
Where can I find the details of why a therapist's license was suspended?
The Virginia Department of Health Professions Practitioner Profile Search includes a summary of disciplinary action. For more detailed information, you can request the full case file from the department, though some information may be confidential depending on the nature of the case.