LAC 46:LXXX.1503. Relationships with Clients

A. A professional holding any ADRA practice credential, specialty certification, or learning status: 1. shall make known to a prospective client or person served the important aspects of the professional relationship including fees and arrangements for payment which might affect the decision of the client or person served to enter the relationship; 2. shall inform the client or person served of the purposes, goals, techniques, rules of procedure, and limitations that may affect the relationship at or before the time that the professional relationship is established; 3. shall provide in-person and telehealth services only in the context of a professional relationship and not by means of newspaper or magazine articles, radio or television programs, mail, social media, or means of a similar nature; 4. shall not give or receive a commission or rebate or other form of remuneration for the referral of clients or persons served for professional services; 5. shall not use relationships with clients or persons served to promote, commercial enterprises of any kind, whether for personal gain or the profit of an agency; 6. shall not, under normal circumstances, be involved in the counseling of personal family members, intimate friends, close associates, or others whose welfare might be jeopardized by such a dual relationship; 7. shall not, under normal circumstances, offer professional services to a person concurrently receiving assistance from another professional except with knowledge of the other professional; 8. shall take reasonable action to inform responsible authorities and appropriate individuals in cases where the condition of a client or person served indicates a clear and imminent danger to self or others; 9. shall take reasonable precautions to protect individuals from physical and/or emotional trauma resulting from interaction within the professional setting; 10. shall not engage in activities that seek to meet the professional personal needs at the expense of a client or person served; 11. shall not engage in sexual intimacies with any client or person served during services provided or for five years after the last professional contact; 12. shall terminate a professional relationship when it is reasonably clear during services that the client or person served during services is not benefiting, and refer the client or person served to an appropriate qualified professional; and 13. shall ensure that any form of electronic communication and network used for sharing confidential information or telehealth services are secure.