LPC Board Defense Attorney in Louisiana
Received a letter from the LPC Board? I represent Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Provisional Licensed Professional Counselors (PLPCs), and marriage and family therapists facing complaints before the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners.
Text me to talkText (504) 356-9678 and we'll set up a time to talk within one business day. The first conversation is free, and I don't ask for retainers. Board deadlines move quickly, and the sooner we talk, the more time we have to respond well. Just send your name and a good time to reach you; no details needed by text.
A complaint to the LPC Board does not mean you did something wrong. Counselors are reported for many reasons: a parent unhappy with your role in a custody dispute, a client upset about how treatment ended, a disagreement over records or billing, or a misunderstanding about a boundary. Some complaints have merit, and many do not. Either way, the board will expect a careful, professional response.
Many insurance policies will cover a portion or all of my fees, so don't do this alone. The best-case scenario is giving the board everything it needs to close the case during the notice period, avoiding an investigation altogether. That's what I work toward from the first day.
The first few weeks matter. A response written in a hurry, without counsel, can raise new questions, share more than the board asked for, or miss the issue the board actually cares about. My job is to help you respond carefully, protect your license, and move the matter toward resolution.
Who I represent
I represent Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs), Provisional Licensed Professional Counselors (PLPCs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Provisional Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (PLMFTs) before the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners. I also represent LPC supervisors facing questions about a supervisee's work.
If you hold a different license, see my main board defense page.
Common complaints against Louisiana counselors
- Boundary and dual-relationship concerns, including social media contact and texting with clients
- Custody and family-court disputes, including letters, records, or testimony provided in a custody case
- Documentation and record-keeping
- Confidentiality and release of client records
- Supervision of provisional licensees
- Ending treatment or referring a client elsewhere
- Telehealth, including serving clients located in other states
- Billing and fee disputes
How an LPC Board complaint works
- The complaint. Anyone, including a client, a parent, a former employer, or another professional, can file a complaint with the board.
- Notice to you. The board notifies you of the complaint and asks for a written response by a deadline. This is the most important stage: a complete, well-supported response can give the board what it needs to close the case without an investigation.
- Investigation. If the matter moves forward, members of the board's Disciplinary Committee investigate. Board members who later decide the matter do not take part in the investigation. The board can consider its own rules, the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics, and your prior disciplinary history, if any.
- Resolution. Many matters end in dismissal or an informal resolution, such as a consent agreement.
- Hearing, if needed. If the matter is not resolved informally, I represent you at a formal hearing before the board.
The complaint process is confidential. But a final disciplinary action can become public and may be reported to the National Practitioner Data Bank, where it can follow you to other states, employers, and insurance panels. That is why the early stages matter so much.
Got a letter from the LPC Board? Start here
- Don't respond yet. Read the letter, note the deadline, and hold off on writing back or calling the board until you've talked with a lawyer.
- Don't contact the person who complained. Even a kind message to a client or parent can look like pressure or retaliation.
- Don't change your records. Do not add to, edit, or "clean up" your notes now, even to fill in details you remember. Preserve everything exactly as it is.
- Check your insurance. Many professional liability policies for counselors include coverage for licensing board defense.
- Reach out early. The sooner you have counsel, the more options you have, including time to request an extension if the deadline is tight.
No retainer, and your insurance may help pay
I don't ask for retainers. I bill only for work I've completed, and you can set up a payment plan that fits your needs. A board letter is stressful enough without worrying about how to pay for help, and cost should never be the reason you face your board alone.
Many professional liability policies for counselors also include license defense coverage. Look for a "license protection" or "disciplinary proceedings" provision, or call your carrier. My clients pay me directly, and I provide the documentation you need to seek reimbursement from your carrier.
Why counselors work with me
I've practiced healthcare and business law for more than 17 years, and much of my work is with counselors: reviewing their contracts and consent forms, helping them build private practices, and defending them before the board.
I also understand your world. My background is in psychology, with a special interest in applied neuroscience, and I've never lost my fascination with how people think and communicate, which is part of why I became a certified mediator and offer communication coaching. I share your goals: caring for clients, protecting their privacy, and doing the work ethically. When I defend you before the board, I'm protecting more than your license. I'm protecting the work you've built your career around.
I've also seen these cases from the inside. After many years as in-house counsel, I served as COO of a healthcare agency with more than 200 employees, so I know how clinical organizations run and where documentation falls short. And because I teach CE for clinicians and professional groups, I spend time with counselors before problems start, not just after.
A board complaint can feel isolating, especially in a profession built on caring for others. I'll be direct with you about where you stand, and I'll treat you with the respect you've earned.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep practicing while a complaint is pending?
In most cases, yes. A complaint by itself usually doesn't stop you from practicing, though a board can act more quickly when it believes clients are at immediate risk. We'll talk through your specific situation.
Will my clients find out about the complaint?
The complaint process itself is confidential. Final disciplinary actions can become public, which is one reason to take the early stages seriously.
How long does an LPC Board complaint take?
It varies with the complaint and the board's caseload. Some matters close within a few months; others take longer, especially if they go to a hearing.
Can't I just write the board a letter explaining what happened?
You can, but it's rarely wise to do it alone. Your written response becomes part of the record. It should answer what the board asked, accurately and completely, without volunteering problems the board didn't raise.
Do I need a Louisiana lawyer?
You can hire any attorney your policy allows, but a lawyer who practices in Louisiana knows the board's rules and process. If your policy lets you choose your own counsel, local experience is worth asking for.
Don't face the LPC Board alone.
If you've received a letter from the Louisiana Licensed Professional Counselors Board of Examiners, reach out before you respond. Consultations are available by phone, video, or in person across Louisiana.
Text me to talkText (504) 356-9678 and we'll set up a time to talk within one business day. The first conversation is free, and I don't ask for retainers. Board deadlines move quickly, and the sooner we talk, the more time we have to respond well. Just send your name and a good time to reach you; no details needed by text.
This page is attorney advertising and is provided for general informational purposes only. It is not legal advice, and contacting the firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every situation is different, and no outcome is guaranteed. Janell Gaudin is admitted to practice in Louisiana and is responsible for the content of this page. Principal office: New Orleans, Louisiana.