Using the title of Dr. with a CA state approved doctorate

A colleague possesses a Psy.D from a California state approved Psychology degree program. He does not practice in CA but in the Northeast. Although he is state licensed as a Social Worker he refers to himself as "Doctor", based on his state accredited degree. Specifically his business card lists his title, Dr., followed by his name, followed by his MSW. On the next line it states Licensed Clinical Social Worker ". This is followed on the next line by "Psy.D- "Licensed Psychologist in the state of California".

He does not refer to himself as a psychologist on his business card. However, I was under the impression that due to his non RA degree he cannot by state statute refer to himself as "doctor", regardless of whether he calls himself psychologist. It may be misperceived by the public that he is in fact a psychologist. Any thoughts regarding this matter?

 

Hi. What state? From what school did he earn the Psy.D.? Is there anything untrue on the business card? I think you are asking whether the business card is misleading to patients or illegal under applicable state law. Is that the question(s)?

Dave

 

Some states have specific rules about the use of titles. I believe Florida may take exception to his using the Dr. title with an unaccredited PsycD, while another state may not. While he is not specifically holding himself out as a psychologist, his card does mention licensure in another state which may be a cause for confusion amongst his clientele. If anything, the state he is residing may take exception to that. However, understand, I amnot a lawyer, nor do I play one on TV.

I find it interesting that he uses Dr. <name>, MSW. Could it be he cannot use PsychD in the state he practices, because of the unaccredited status (CA approved only) does not permit licensure to practice psychology in his residential state? There are a number of questions here that can only be answered through his state regulations.

 

In my company, we rarely see a PhD being called doctor. I cannot even really recall it.

In my business a non-physician being called doctor would be misleading. We do a lot of work in clinical areas in the pharm business. So, the doctor title is generally reserved for our physicians. Often, even the physicians go by their first names but we do make it a policy to call them doctor in the patient contact areas. We don't want a patient to think they are getting anything other than a physician treating them.

 

More than likely it will depend on the state in which he practices as a social worker.

In Indiana, anyone with an unaccredited doctorate who offers mental health services to the public, cannot use "Dr." unless his or her doctorate contains some religious nomenclature, such as "John Doe, Doctor of Philosophy in Pastoral Counseling. "

So, one possessing a Psy.D. from SCUPS could not legally refer to him/herself as "Dr." or use "Psy.D" in his or her name if he or she is engaged in private or agency counseling.

 

Re: Re: Using the title of Dr. with a CA state approved doctorate

I do not know which school he attended but it was a state approved Psy.D. He is quite forthright in regard to his credentials on his business card because he clearly lists his degrees and states of license. He also accurately represents the fact that he is a licensed Clinical Social Worker in his state BUT is also licensed as a Psychologist in California. My question is that even though he accurately represents his credentials can he refer to himself as "doctor" (Not Psychologist or doctor of Psychology) on a business card as well as in his interactions with clients?

 

SIMON: Yes, he is aware that he cannot go by the title of Psychologist based on his state approved degree but assumed that he would be able to note his licensure in California as a Psychologist.

 

SIMON: Interesting. He believed that because he is actually a licensed Psychologist in California that he could list this credential and could refer to himself as "doctor", NOT doctor of Psychology.

 

Re: Re: Re: Using the title of Dr. with a CA state approved doctorate

Again, it depends on the laws in his state.

Go here for a possible answer.

MERRY CHRISTMAS/HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

 

Re: Re: Re: Using the title of Dr. with a CA state approved doctorate

Given the limited information that you've provided about the state, there seems to be two issues with using the title "Dr.": 1) Licensure; 2) Academic qualification. To avoid the notion that he is practicing without a license that state, he might drop "Dr.", leave the note about California licensure, and list the PsyD with the MSW, unless there is a prohibition about listing unaccredited degrees in that state.

My guess,

Dave

 

I don't see thie fact of his degree being state-accredited versus RA as the problem here. He has an earned doctorate from an institution that is authorized to grant doctoral degrees in a state within the United States. That is, unless there is some prohibition in his state's social work practice law that says he cannot use the title "Doctor" in social work practice unless he has a doctorate in social work (Ph.D. or D.S.W.).

Assuming that the social work practice law does not constrain him from using the title doctor, I think it is a problem to list his specific degree and the fact that he is licensed in another state. The Psy.D implies expertise in psychology which is outside of the scope of his social work license. Ditto to refering to his licensure as a Psychologist in another state.

If he referred to himself as Dr. John Doe, MSW, I don't see a problem with it. No patient could infer that they were getting anything but a licensed social worker.

 

Re: Re: Using the title of Dr. with a CA state approved doctorate

I have to disagree. The simpliest interpretation of "Dr. John Doe, MSW" is that he has doctoral qualifications without specifying that they are not in social work, so they must be related to social work. Listing the PsyD and licensure in California remedies the open issue of his exact doctoral qualification. For example, if his doctorate were in electrical engineering, then omitting the information about the doctorate while using the title "Dr." is misleading. He should either specify what the doctoral qualification is or remove all references to it, in my opinion.

Dave

 

Re: Re: Re: Using the title of Dr. with a CA state approved doctorate

Point taken. Accordingly, I believe that he should remove all references to his credentials in psychology from his business cards and other materials intended for the general public.

 

The answer to this specific question does not appear to be elaborated upon in state board of Psychology's statutes, rules and laws. It also appears that in order to bring closure to this issue it would be necessary to go directly to the board of licensure of the state in which one plans to practice and let the board review the issue and make a ruling.

 

In my opinion, he should leave "Dr." out of his business card.

Stylistically, one should not use a title like "Dr." and also degree initials after the name. "Dr. John Doe" or "John Doe, PhD" are both equally acceptable. "Dr. John Doe, PhD" is incorrect. If the person in question has a degree that allows him to use the "Dr." title, he should list that degree after his name (and remove the "Dr." title). If the doctoral degree is not related to his current work, he should leave it off his card all together.

 

Obviously your supervisor doesn't seem concerned about it so it appears it only bothers you. If this is the case, I'd just drop it and go and earn a state-approved, RA, or NA doctorate.

 

And what business are you in?

 

Re: Re: Re: Re: Using the title of Dr. with a CA state approved doctorate

Well, since it is apparently a Northeastern state, at least we're not dealing with Oregon.

 

Where I work, everyone holding a doctorate is routinely referred to as "doctor." Of course, we actually go by our first names.

 

I don't see the distinction. I have a doctorate in bidniz. When I use the title (e.g. when teaching), I use Dr. Russ Blahetka. NotDr. of Bidniz Russ Blahetka.

If asked what my doctorate is in, then I mention bidniz. Otherwise, it's just Dr. Blah.

Again, whether he can call himself Dr, let alone Dr of anything is, IMHO, a state regulation. Whether or not he is saying Dr. Bif, or Dr. of Psychology Bif may not make a difference to the state regulators if he cannot use it at all.