C.R.S. Section 12-245-203.5
Minors

  • consent for outpatient psychotherapy services
  • immunity
  • definition

(1)

As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, “mental health professional” includes a professional person as defined in section 27-65-102 (27); a mental health professional licensed pursuant to part 3, 4, 5, 6, or 8 of this article 245; a licensed professional counselor candidate; a psychologist candidate; a clinical social worker candidate; a marriage and family therapist candidate; or an addiction counselor candidate.

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a mental health professional may provide psychotherapy services, as defined in section 12-245-202 (14)(a), to a minor who is twelve years of age or older, without the consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian, if the mental health professional determines that:

(I)

The minor is knowingly and voluntarily seeking such services; and

(II)

The provision of psychotherapy services is clinically indicated and necessary to the minor’s well-being.

(b)

A minor may not refuse psychotherapy services when a mental health professional and the minor’s parent or legal guardian agree psychotherapy services are in the best interest of the minor.

(3)

If a minor voluntarily seeks psychotherapy services on the minor’s own behalf pursuant to subsection (2)(a) of this section:

(a)

The mental health professional may notify the minor’s parent or legal guardian of the psychotherapy services given or needed, with the minor’s consent, unless notifying the parent or legal guardian would be inappropriate or detrimental to the minor’s care and treatment;

(b)

The mental health professional shall engage the minor in a discussion about the importance of involving and notifying the minor’s parent or legal guardian and shall encourage such notification to help support the minor’s care and treatment; and

(c)

Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (3)(a) of this section, a mental health professional may notify the minor’s parent or legal guardian of the psychotherapy services given or needed, without the minor’s consent, if, in the professional opinion of the mental health professional, the minor is unable to manage the minor’s care or treatment.

(4)

A mental health professional shall fully document when the mental health professional attempts to contact or notify the minor’s parent or legal guardian and whether the attempt was successful or unsuccessful, or the reason why, in the mental health professional’s opinion, it would be inappropriate to contact or notify the minor’s parent or legal guardian. If a minor seeks psychotherapy services on the minor’s own behalf pursuant to subsection (2)(a) of this section, documentation must be included in the minor’s clinical record, along with a written statement signed by the minor indicating that the minor is voluntarily seeking psychotherapy services.

(5)

Psychotherapy services must be provided in a culturally appropriate manner. Written and oral instruction, training of providers and staff, and the overall provision of services must be culturally appropriate and provided in a manner and format to support individuals with limited English proficiency or challenges with accessibility related to a disability and with respect for diverse backgrounds, including individuals with different cultural origins and individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

(6)

As used in this section, “psychotherapy services” does not include inpatient psychotherapy services.

(7)

If a minor who is receiving psychotherapy services pursuant to this section communicates a serious threat of imminent physical violence against a specific person or persons, including a person who is identifiable by the person’s association with a specific location or entity, the mental health professional is subject to the notification provisions of section 13-21-117 (2) and shall notify the minor’s parent or legal guardian unless notifying the parent or legal guardian would be inappropriate or detrimental to the minor’s care and treatment.

(8)

Repealed.

Source: Section 12-245-203.5 — Minors - consent for outpatient psychotherapy services - immunity - definition, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-12.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

12‑245‑101
Legislative declaration
12‑245‑201
Applicability of common provisions
12‑245‑202
Definitions
12‑245‑203
Practice outside of or beyond professional training, experience, or competence - general scope of practice for licensure, registration, or certification
12‑245‑203.5
Minors - consent for outpatient psychotherapy services - immunity - definition
12‑245‑204
Boards - division to supervise - meetings - duties - powers - rules - removal of members - limitation on authority
12‑245‑205
Fees - renewal
12‑245‑206
Records
12‑245‑207
Licensure by endorsement
12‑245‑208
Provisional license - fees
12‑245‑209
License - issuance
12‑245‑210
Prohibition against prescribing drugs or practicing medicine - exception for opiate antagonist
12‑245‑211
Collaborate with physician
12‑245‑212
Professional review committees - immunity
12‑245‑213
Professional service corporations for the practice of psychology, social work, marriage and family therapy, professional counseling, and addiction counseling - definitions
12‑245‑214
Denial of license, registration, or certification - reinstatement
12‑245‑215
Legislative intent - schools and colleges - examinations
12‑245‑216
Mandatory disclosure of information to clients
12‑245‑217
Scope of article - exemptions
12‑245‑218
Title use restrictions
12‑245‑219
Judicial review of final board actions and orders
12‑245‑220
Disclosure of confidential communications - definitions
12‑245‑221
Article not to restrict other professions
12‑245‑222
Powers and duties of the boards - rules
12‑245‑223
Confidential agreement to limit practice
12‑245‑224
Prohibited activities - related provisions - definition
12‑245‑225
Authority of boards - cease-and-desist orders - rules - fines
12‑245‑226
Disciplinary proceedings - judicial review - mental and physical examinations - multiple licenses
12‑245‑227
Reconsideration and review of action of a board
12‑245‑228
Unauthorized practice - penalties
12‑245‑229
Licensee duties relating to assistance animals - definitions
12‑245‑230
Injunctive proceedings
12‑245‑231
Mental health professional peer health assistance program - fees - administration - rules - definition
12‑245‑232
Minimum standards for testing
12‑245‑233
Auricular acudetox by professionals - training - definition
12‑245‑234
Repeal of article - subject to review
12‑245‑301
Definitions
12‑245‑302
State board of psychologist examiners - created - members - terms
12‑245‑303
Practice of psychology defined
12‑245‑304
Qualifications - examinations - licensure and registration
12‑245‑305
Rights and privileges of licensure - title
12‑245‑306
Exemptions
12‑245‑307
Continuing professional development - rules
12‑245‑308
Psychology interjurisdictional compact act - powers and duties of the board - rules - definition
12‑245‑309
Prescription authority - psychotropic drugs - prescription certificates - requirements - issuance, denial, renewal, and revocation of certification - rules
12‑245‑401
Definitions
12‑245‑402
State board of social work examiners - created - members - terms
12‑245‑403
Social work practice defined
12‑245‑404
Qualifications - examination - licensure and registration
12‑245‑405
Rights and privileges of licensure and a social work degree - titles
12‑245‑406
Scope of part
12‑245‑407
Exemptions
12‑245‑408
Clinical social work practice of psychotherapy
12‑245‑409
Employees of social services
12‑245‑410
Continuing professional competency - rules - definition
12‑245‑501
Definitions
12‑245‑502
State board of marriage and family therapist examiners - created - members - terms
12‑245‑503
Marriage and family therapy practice defined
12‑245‑504
Qualifications - examination - licensure and registration
12‑245‑505
Rights and privileges of licensure and registration - title
12‑245‑506
Continuing professional competency - rules - definition
12‑245‑601
Definitions
12‑245‑602
State board of licensed professional counselor examiners - created - members - fines
12‑245‑603
Practice of licensed professional counseling defined
12‑245‑604
Licensure - examination - licensed professional counselors
12‑245‑605
Rights and privileges of licensure - title
12‑245‑606
Continuing professional competency - rules - definition
12‑245‑607
Interstate compact - powers and duties of the board - rules - definitions
12‑245‑701
Definitions
12‑245‑702
State board of unlicensed psychotherapists - creation - membership
12‑245‑703
Database of unlicensed psychotherapists - unauthorized practice - penalties - data collection - rules
12‑245‑704
Expenses of the board
12‑245‑705
Jurisdiction
12‑245‑801
Definitions
12‑245‑802
State board of addiction counselor examiners - created - members - terms
12‑245‑803
Practice of addiction counseling defined - scope of practice
12‑245‑804
Requirements for licensure, certification, and registration - rules
12‑245‑805
Rights and privileges of certification and licensure - titles
12‑245‑806
Continuing professional competency - rules - definition
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 12-245-203.5’s source at colorado​.gov