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A conflict of interest is any situation where your personal interests could reasonably appear to influence your judgment at work. Most are manageable. Undisclosed ones are the problem.

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Disclose

Tell Helen and the practice manager in writing about:
  • Any financial interest you or an immediate family member holds in a business the practice deals with, refers to, or competes with
  • Any outside clinical work, including private practice, contracting, or telehealth platforms
  • Any referral relationship where money, gifts, or favors change hands
  • Any relationship with a client or a client’s family outside therapy. See Professional boundaries.
  • Anything else that makes you wonder whether you should disclose it
Disclosure is required at hire and whenever something changes. Once disclosed, most conflicts can be managed by keeping you out of the affected decision.

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Referrals

Never accept or offer anything of value in exchange for referring a client, or for a client being referred to you. That includes cash, gifts, discounts, and favors. Federal and state anti-kickback rules apply where federal program money is involved, and the ethical rule applies everywhere. Refer clients based on their needs, full stop.

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Outside employment

You can hold outside work, including your own private practice, as long as it:
  • Doesn’t interfere with your schedule, availability, or performance here
  • Doesn’t use practice systems, records, materials, or client information
  • Doesn’t involve treating the practice’s clients outside the practice
  • Is disclosed
Seeing a Healing Haven client privately, or moving a client to your outside practice while employed here, is a conflict and a breach of trust.

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Practice property and information

Client lists, contact information, templates, marketing materials, systems, and anything else developed for the practice belong to the practice. Don’t use them for outside work.

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After you leave

What happens to client relationships and confidential information after employment is in What survives employment. Short version: confidentiality survives; there is no non-compete.