Why It Matters
Iowa’s licensing oversight system for mental health professionals is drawing attention after the state board published disciplinary charges against a licensed counselor, highlighting the regulatory process that governs behavioral health practitioners in the state.
What Happened
The Iowa Board of Behavioral Health Professionals filed disciplinary charges against Linda Diane Lawman, a mental health counselor licensed in Ames, Iowa, on July 29, 2025. The charges allege that Lawman failed to comply with the American Counseling Association’s code of ethics during a period when she practiced in Grundy Center.
The board did not publicly disclose the specific nature of the alleged violation or the exact timeframe in which it occurred. The statement of charges was published for the first time this week, nearly a year after the charges were formally filed.
An initial hearing was scheduled for June 1, 2026, but has since been rescheduled to July 22, 2026. Lawman’s counseling license expired in 2024.
By the Numbers
2022: Year the investigation was initiated by the board.
July 29, 2025: Date formal charges were filed — roughly three years after the investigation began.
2024: Year Lawman’s license expired, before the hearing process was completed.
July 22, 2026: Rescheduled date for the disciplinary hearing.
Zoom Out
The case moves through Iowa’s updated licensing oversight structure. In 2023, the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) assumed responsibility for the state’s professional licensing boards, including the Board of Behavioral Health Professionals. That administrative reorganization centralized oversight of multiple licensing bodies under a single state agency.
Disciplinary actions against mental health professionals have drawn increasing scrutiny nationwide as states work to balance practitioner shortages in rural areas with the need to enforce professional standards. Grundy Center, where Lawman practiced, is a small community in central Iowa where access to mental health services can be limited.
What’s Next
The disciplinary hearing is now set for July 22, 2026. At that proceeding, the board will consider the charges and any response from Lawman before determining whether to impose sanctions, which could range from a formal reprimand to permanent revocation of licensure. Because Lawman’s license has already expired, the practical effect of any board action would primarily be on her ability to seek future licensure in Iowa or other states.
The board has not indicated whether additional details about the alleged ethics violation will be disclosed ahead of the hearing.