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HomeContinuing EducationResource CenterEmergency Practice Planning Resource Guidelines for The Trust Policyholders
Attention Educators!

Get your complimentary copy of The Trust’s newly released Professional Development Toolkit. This must-have resource for educators is packed with helpful tools and resources that should be shared with students and early career psychologists.

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HomeContinuing EducationResource CenterEmergency Practice Planning Resource Guidelines for The Trust Policyholders

Emergency Practice Planning Resource Guidelines for The Trust Policyholders

Emergency Planning Isn’t Optional; It’s Essential to Ethical Practice

A practical, clinician-focused guide to protecting your patients, your practice, and your legacy, before the unexpected happens.

Continuity of care is a core responsibility in behavioral health, not just a best practice. Still, many clinicians do not have a clear plan for what happens if they become suddenly unavailable. Any break in care, whether short or long, can put patients at risk, interrupt treatment, and possibly compromise confidentiality.
      Without a documented plan in place, even well-intentioned colleagues or family members may be unable to step in effectively.
          That’s where proactive practice planning makes the difference, and it’s why we’ve partnered with Theraclosure to help clinicians put a structured, professional plan in place before it’s ever needed. Theraclosure’s tools are designed specifically for behavioral health providers, making it easier to document client information, identify successor clinicians, and ensure your practice can be handed off with dignity and care.

              Why This Matters 

              • Protect your patients: Ensure continuity of care, even in unexpected circumstances.
              • Safeguard sensitive data: Maintain compliance with record-handling and confidentiality standards. 
              • Reduce legal and operational risk: Align with ethical obligations and state-level requirements. 
              • Support your family and colleagues: Prevent confusion, delays, and added burden during a crisis. 

                  What You’ll Learn in This Guide 

                  This comprehensive resource breaks down complex requirements into actionable guidance, including: 

                  • What ethical and legal obligations do clinicians have for emergency preparedness 
                  • How to design a professional will that ensures continuity of care 
                  • Key considerations when selecting and preparing a practice executor 
                  • Practical steps for safeguarding patient records and managing transitions 
                  • Common pitfalls and how to avoid them before they become real risks 

                          Don’t wait for a crisis to expose gaps in your practice.

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                          Informed Consent Sample Forms

                          Psychotherapist Adult Patient Contract (versión en español)

                          Telepsychology (versión en español)

                          Outpatient Services Agreement for Collaterals (versión en español)

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                          Sample Contract

                          Sample Coaching Contract (versión en español)

                          Download the full resource to understand your obligations, strengthen your preparedness, and ensure continuity for the patients who rely on you.

                          More from TheraClosure

                          Business of Practice, Part 2: How to Meet Your Ethical Obligations to Plan for the Unexpected

                          Learn More
                          Webinar

                          In this 2-hour practical workshop based on lived clinical experience, you will learn how to fulfill your ethical responsibilities to plan for the unexpected. We will review components of a comprehensive Professional Will and considerations in selecting a Practice Executor capable of fulfilling your wishes. The training will also address the clinical, business, and emotional considerations of abrupt practice suspension as the unforeseen impacts on patients, colleagues, and family. You will be provided with several accessible solutions to navigate this often avoided yet essential task, ensuring ethical compliance, protecting your patients from the risks of traumatic termination, and sparing your colleagues and family from unnecessary burden. Insights are drawn from the presenter’s first-hand experiences as a Practice Executor and will feature pitfalls and best practices.

                          Through The Trust’s partnership with TheraClosure, Trust policyholders will receive a 15% annual discount when they enroll in TheraClosure coverage. Please use promotion code Trust15 when you enroll to claim your exclusive savings.

                          Featuring: Robyn B. Miller, Ph.D. of TheraClosure