When someone impersonates a licensed therapist, counselor, psychologist, or social worker, or misuses that professional’s name in an online profile, advertisement, or business listing, it can cause real problems for the actual license holder. What should a BHEC-licensed professional do if someone misuses their name or credentials? The professional should document the misuse, report it to the relevant agency or platform, and take measured steps to protect their license and reputation.
At Lype Dest Smith Lawyers, we work with behavioral health professionals across Texas who turn to a BHEC license defense attorney the moment this issue surfaces, since speaking with counsel early can help clarify whether BHEC, an employer, an online platform, or another authority should receive the report.
A licensed therapist, counselor, psychologist, or social worker earns their professional reputation over years of academic study, supervised training, and continuing education requirements. Another person or entity may use that name, license number, or credentials without authorization, often through a fake social media profile or a fraudulent business listing. Clients and the public may reasonably associate the misuse with the actual license holder. That association can expose the professional to complaints they did not generate and raise questions before BHEC about services the professional never provided.
Before contacting any agency or platform, the professional should build a clear record. Screenshots taken with visible dates and URLs hold more weight than a verbal description offered later. Saved copies of misleading website profiles, emails, text messages, or online reviews should be preserved in their original format rather than summarized from memory.
The professional should also check the BHEC public license verification system to confirm whether inaccurate information now appears tied to their license number.
A BHEC-licensed professional who wants to know what to do if someone misuses their name or credentials generally has four paths available: filing a complaint with BHEC, reporting the fraudulent content to the platform hosting it, notifying an employer or clinic, and consulting a BHEC license defense attorney.
Which combination applies depends on whether the impersonator actually holds a BHEC license, where the fraudulent content appears, and whether the misuse has already reached patients or colleagues.
Filing a complaint with BHEC would be an appropriate first step whether the person misusing the credentials is a BHEC licensee or not. BHEC has authority to regulate licensees, but can also issue “cease and desist” orders under Occupations Code Sec. 507.403, if an unlicensed person violates the BHEC statutes. According to the Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council, complaints must go through the Council’s official complaint form.
Reporting a fraudulent profile directly to the hosting platform, whether a social media site or a business directory, often removes misleading content faster than waiting on a regulatory process alone. Most platforms maintain dedicated impersonation reporting tools separate from general customer support.
Notifying a clinic or workplace matters when the misuse touches business communications or client-facing materials, since staff there may need to alert clients or correct records tied to the professional’s name.
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Keeping contact and verification information current with BHEC reduces the chance that outdated records compound the problem caused by an impersonator.
The Texas Behavioral Health Executive Council’s discipline and complaint process focuses on whether a licensee’s own conduct violated applicable rules. A professional dealing with impersonation should document all efforts to remove misleading content, since a prompt, well-documented response reduces the risk that the misuse gets attributed to them.
Credential misuse rarely resolves on its own. Acting early, before an uncoordinated response creates more confusion, gives a BHEC-licensed professional the best chance to protect their record. Lype Dest Smith Lawyers helps Texas behavioral health professionals document misuse, choose the right reporting path, and protect their license. Call our team today at (512) 881-3556 to discuss your situation and get ahead of the problem.
Not afraid to go to court when necessary, Dan has successfully litigated cases all the way to the Supreme Court of Texas. Dan also prides himself on being readily available to clients throughout their cases. He strongly believes effective representation should be a collaborative effort between a client and their attorney.
Years of experience: 15 years
Justia Profile: Dan Lype
Bar number: 24065658
Location: Austin, TX
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