Complaints

Before filing a complaint
How to file a complaint
What happens next?

Before filing a complaint

If you have a concern about a Licensed Psychologist, there are some steps you could take before making your complaint, and things to consider:
- If the complaint is about your psychologist you could first talk to that individual about your concern/complaint. In most cases the psychologist would want to know that you are dissatisfied with the therapy services and would work with you in resolving those issues.
- If you are unable to talk with the psychologist due to nature of the complaint feel free to fill out the complaint form. You may also contact the Minnesota Board of Psychology and a complaint form can be mailed to you.
- You are encouraged to call the Minnesota Board of Psychology (612-617-2230) and confirm the individual you are making the complaint against is in fact a licensed psychologist.
- You could check the Rules of Conduct to read the laws that govern psychologists licensed in the State of Minnesota. Although the compliance unit or the Board will decide whether a complaint is valid and whether the acts or conduct that you allege violates Minnesota law, many people find reviewing the law helpful in deciding whether they should file a report with the Board and what kind of information to provide to the Board with their report to support the allegations.
How to file a complaint

The Board is required by law to make inquiries into all complaints. There are two ways how you can file a complaint: online or paper.

Online: You may submit your complaint using our online system - Submit complaint online.

Paper: If you prefer to use the paper form please follow these instructions:

Fill out and notarize the form. Please complete ALL sections with as much information as possible to assist in the investigation.

Section 1: Complete this section with your full name, current mailing address and home and/or work telephone number.

Section 2: Provide the name of the Licensed Psychologist, or applicant of the Board of Psychology against whom you are filing a complaint. Also provide that person’s address and telephone number if you have this information. Please note that the Minnesota Board of Psychology has jurisdiction only over individuals who are of the status listed above.

Section 3: Please provide as much information as possible about what happened. Describe in detail all your facts which relate to the complaint/allegations you are submitting to the Board. Include any potential names, dates, times, places, and any document or records that would support you complaint. Please do not send original documents. If you do submit original documents, please indicate that they are originals, then they will be copied and returned to you. Please write clearly, preferably print or type, in order to make the complaint easier to read.

Once your complaint is notarized and you have gathered the documents you wish to submit with your complaint, you can mail, fax, or personally deliver your complaint to the Minnesota Board of Psychology.

Download the complaint form
What happens next?
- Once the board staff receives your complaint and determines the Board has jurisdiction, board staff will acknowledge the complaint by sending you a confirmation letter indicating the complaint was received and will be investigated.
- Board staff will review the report and documents provided by the complainant and determine the next step in the process.
- The psychologist could be contacted and could be asked to provide any and all records surrounding the client in question, in addition to responding in writing to the allegations.
- Once the documents and allegations are established, and the compliance unit has gathered all possible evidence, the complaint will be presented to the Complaint Resolution Committee for their review. The Committee will determine the next step in the process.
- The Committee can dismiss the complaint if the facts do not support a violation of the law. The Committee can also decide to meet with the licensee, formally or informally, to learn more or attempt to resolve the complaint. If the Committee decides that the licensee violated the law, the Committee can propose corrective or disciplinary action.
- If the licensee does not agree to a voluntary settlement, the Committee can attempt to resolve the complaint by using alternative dispute resolution or by holding a contested case hearing before a State Administrative Law Judge.
- You will be notified in writing of the disposition once the case is completed.