What is the best practice when a practice uses a fictitious name in advertising?

Prepare for the LPCC Law and Ethics Test 2. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with explanations. Enhance your understanding of ethics and legal standards for effective counseling practice.

When a practice uses a fictitious name in advertising, the essential step is transparency about who is providing the service and that they are licensed to do so. The best approach is to include the practitioner’s full name along with their licensure status in the advertisement. This makes it clear who stands behind the fictitious name and verifies that the person is credentialed to practice, helping potential clients make an informed, safer choice and preventing deception.

Including only the fictitious name or only the business contact information fails to reveal the clinician’s identity or their credentials, which could mislead or confuse consumers. While using a fictitious name is not inherently wrong, it must be accompanied by proper disclosure of identity and licensure to remain compliant with ethical advertising standards.