Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 30 - Professions and Occupations › Part 1903 - RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS › Chapter 3 - Professional Standards of Practice and Code of Conduct › Rule 30-1903-3.1 - PROFESSIONAL IDENTIFICATION AS A MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPIST

Current through June 25, 2024
A. Titles and
				Abbreviations
Persons licensed to practice marriage and family therapy in
				  Mississippi may use the title "Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist" and they
				  may use the letters LMFT as a professional identification following their name
				  as it appears on the license. Persons licensed to practice as Marriage and
				  Family Therapy Associates in Mississippi may use the title "Licensed Marriage
				  and Family Therapy Associate" and they may use the letters LMFTA as
				  professional identification following their name as it appears on the
				  license.
B. Display of
				License
The certificate of licensure issued by the Board and the
				  current verification of renewal shall be displayed at all times in the
				  licensee's place of practice. Official duplicates of the license may be
				  obtained from the board if more than one copy is needed.
C. Change in Name
It is the responsibility of the licensee to notify the Board
				  promptly, no later than thirty (30) calendar days following the change of name,
				  of any change in their name and to request a new certificate of licensure
				  showing the appropriate name. All requests for a name changed must be made in
				  writing, signed and notarized, and accompanied by a certified copy of the legal
				  document which changed the name, and the appropriate fee or administrative
				  cost. Licensees will be in violation of the standards of practice if they
				  practice using a name different from the one appearing on their license
				  certificate, and will be subject to disciplinary action by the Board.
D. Use of Technology Assisted
				Marriage and Family Therapy Services
1.
				Definitions
Clients - the individual, couple, family, group, or
				  organization that receives marriage and family therapy services from an
				  individual or co-therapy team of marriage and family therapists.
Technology-Assisted Services - therapy or supervision
				  services provided through electronic means utilizing a secure video
				  platform.
In-person - refers to interactions in which the marriage and
				  family therapist and the client are face-to-face either in-person or via secure
				  video conferencing platform.
Remote - refers to the provision of a service that is
				  received at a different site from where the marriage and family therapist is
				  physically located.
2. The
				practice of LMFTA or LMFT with an individual in the state of Mississippi or any
				other state through technology-assisted services, regardless of the location of
				the therapist, shall constitute the practice of marriage and family therapy and
				be subject to Rules and Regulations of the state where they are providing
				services. Marriage and family therapists providing technology-assisted services
				shall take all necessary measures to ensure compliance with the relevant
				standards and ethics.
Marriage and family therapists who choose to provide
				  technology-assisted services shall:
a.
				Determine that technologically-assisted services or supervision are appropriate
				for clients or supervisees, considering professional, intellectual, emotional,
				and physical needs.
b. Inform
				clients or supervisees of the potential risks and benefits associated with
				technologically-assisted services, advise clients and supervisees in writing of
				these risks, and advise them of both the therapist's and the
				clients/supervisees' responsibilities for minimizing such risks
c. Choose technological platforms that adhere
				to standards of best practices related to confidentiality and quality of
				services, and that meet applicable laws. Inform clients/supervisees of the
				limitations and protections offered by the therapist's or supervisor's
				technology.
d. Ensure that all
				documentation containing identifying or otherwise sensitive information which
				is electronically stored and/or transferred is done using technology that
				adheres to standards of best practices related to confidentiality and quality
				of services, and that meet applicable laws. Inform clients/supervisees of the
				limitations and protections offered by the therapist's or supervisor's
				technology.
e. Follow all laws
				regarding location of practice and services, and do not use
				technologically-assisted means for practicing outside of their allowed
				jurisdictions.
f. Ensure that they
				are trained and competent in the use of all chosen technology-assisted
				professional services and choose suitably advanced and current technology in
				order to best service the professional needs of clients and
				supervisees.
g. Take reasonable
				steps to verify the identity of clients/supervisees, particularly at first
				meeting.