N.M. Admin. Code § 16.22.2.13

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 20, October 22, 2024

Section 16.22.2.13 - DISCLOSURE AND MISREPRESENTATION OF SERVICES

A. Definition of public statements. Public statements include but are not limited to paid or unpaid advertising, brochures, printed matter, directory listings, personal resumes or curriculum vitae, interviews or comments for use in media, statements in legal proceedings, lectures, and public oral presentations.

B. Display of license. The psychologist shall display his current New Mexico license to practice psychology, on the premises of his primary professional office.

C. Misrepresentation of qualifications. The psychologist shall not misrepresent directly or by implication his professional qualifications such as type of licensure, education, experience, and areas of competence.

D. Misrepresentation of affiliations. The psychologist shall neither misrepresent nor permit the misrepresentation of his professional qualifications, affiliations, or purposes, or those of the institutions, organizations, products, and/or services with which he is associated.

E. False or misleading information regarding professional services. The psychologist shall not include false or misleading information in public statements concerning professional services offered.

(1) When announcing or advertising professional services and/or describing his professional qualifications, the psychologist may list the following:

(a) degrees obtained (Ph.D. or Psy.D.) and the area in which the degree is obtained (clinical, counseling, or school);

(b) the institutions from which the degrees were obtained;

(c) date, type, and level of certification or licensure;

(d) diploma status; membership status in professional organizations;

(e) address; telephone number; office hours;

(f) a brief listing of the type of psychological services offered;

(g) an appropriate presentation of fee information;

(h) foreign languages spoken; and

(i) policy with regard to third-party payments.

(2) Additional relevant or important consumer information may be included if not prohibited by other sections of the code. The psychologist must disclose and list whether his New Mexico license is regular, provisional, temporary, emergency or inactive, and include its expiration date.

(3) When announcing or advertising the availability of psychological products, publications, or services, the psychologist shall not display any affiliation with an organization in a manner that falsely implies the sponsorship or certification of that organization. In particular, the psychologist shall not offer professional organization or fellowship status in a way that implies specialized professional competence or qualifications. Public statements shall not contain:

(a) any statement likely to mislead or deceive because it makes only a partial disclosure of relevant facts;

(b) a statement of a patient's laudatory statements about the psychologist or his services or products;

(c) a statement intended or likely to create false or unjustified expectations of favorable results;

(d) a statement implying unusual, unique, or one-of-a-kind abilities;

(e) a statement intended or likely to appeal to a prospective patient's fears, anxieties; or emotions concerning the possible consequences of the prospective client's failure to obtain the offered services;

(f) a statement concerning the comparative desirability of offered service;

(g) a statement of direct solicitation of individual clients.

F. Promotion of psychological services and products. Psychologists associated with the development or promotion of psychological devices, books, or other products offered for sale must ensure that announcements and advertisements are presented in an accurate and truthful manner.

(1) The psychologist shall offer his/ her services, products, and publications in an accurate and truthful manner, avoiding statements or claims likely to deceive or mislead such as misrepresentation through sensationalism, exaggeration, or superficiality. The psychologist shall be guided by the primary obligation to aid the public in forming their own informed judgments, opinions, and choices.

(2) The psychologist shall make efforts to ensure that statements in catalogues, workshops, and seminar outlines are not false, misleading, or inaccurate. Announcements, brochures, or advertisements describing workshops, seminars, or other programs shall accurately represent the intended audience, eligibility requirements, educational objectives, and nature of the material to be covered, as well as the education, training, and experience of the persons presenting the programs. The psychologist shall make clear the nature of the services, costs, and other obligations to be accepted by research participants whenever fees or clinical or other professional services are offered as inducement.

G. Misrepresentation of services or products. The psychologist shall not associate with or permit his name to be used in connection with any services or products in such a way as to misrepresent:

(1) the services or products;

(2) the degree of his responsibility for the services or products; or

(3) the nature of his association with the services or products.

H. In-person solicitation. The psychologist shall not engage, directly or through agents, uninvited, in-person solicitation of business from actual or potential psychotherapy patients, or other persons who, because of their particular circumstances, are vulnerable to undue influence.

N.M. Admin. Code § 16.22.2.13

16.22.2.13 NMAC - Rp, 16.22.2.13 NMAC, 11/15/06