Therapists Under Attack: 8 Scams Targeting Therapists and How to Avoid Them | LHSFT Classic

Therapists are being targeted by scams in ways that are becoming increasingly sophisticated and difficult to detect. These therapist scams often involve threats to your license, your clients, or your private practice, and they are designed to create urgency so you act quickly without verifying. If you’ve ever had a moment where something felt off but serious enough that you thought, “What if this is real?” this episode is for you. This week on Love, Happiness, and Success For Therapists, I’m revisiting an important conversation about the growing number of scams targeting therapists and private practice owners. These are not rare or hypothetical situations. They are real scenarios that have impacted clinicians in my own practice, including one where a therapist was pressured into handing over money after receiving a call from someone posing as law enforcement. We walk through eight common scams that therapists are facing right now, including fake insurance requests, phishing scams disguised as tech support, fraudulent credentialing services, misleading training and collaboration offers, and internal business scams like payroll diversion. I’ll also help you understand why therapists are uniquely vulnerable to these tactics, and what patterns to watch for so you can recognize them early. This conversation is a reminder that therapist safety, client data protection, and private practice security are essential parts of ethical care. Knowing how to pause, verify, and reality-check before responding can protect not only your business, but the people who trust you with their information. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 Therapist scams: why clinicians are being targeted 01:30 The “scary police officer” scam targeting therapists 04:30 Fake insurance scams and client data risks 07:00 Tech, telehealth, and phishing scams in private practice 11:00 Fake trainings, collaborations, and credentialing scams 14:30 EHR risks: the SimplePractice con explained 17:30 Therapist consultation and connection as protection 19:30 How therapists can protect their private practice As you’re thinking about your own practice, I want you to remember that you don’t have to navigate situations like this on your own. One of the most important protections we have as therapists is connection with other professionals who can help us reality-check, consult, and stay informed. That’s exactly why I created The Growth Collective for Therapists, a professional community for clinicians who want ongoing consultation, practical support, and a space to build a sustainable, secure private practice. And if you’d like to stay connected, come find me on LinkedIn. I share updates, resources, and insights about what therapists need to know, and I’d love to hear what’s coming up for you in your work. xoxo, Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby Growing Self