David Ferrara
Las Vegas Review-Journal
Originally posted July 14, 2017
A psychologist accused of killing his wife and staging her death as a suicide can start practicing medicine again in less than four months, the Nevada Board of Psychological Examiners decided Friday.
Suspected of abusing drugs and obtaining prescription drugs from patients, Gregory “Brent” Dennis, who prosecutors say poisoned attorney Susan Winters inside their Henderson home, also must undergo up to seven years of drug treatment, the seven-member panel ruled as they signed a settlement agreement that made no mention of the murder charge.
“It’s clear that the board members do not know what Brent Dennis was arrested for,” Keith Williams, a lawyer for the Winters family, told a Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter after the meeting. “We’re confident that they did not know what they were voting on today.”
Henderson police arrested Dennis on the murder charge in February.
The article is here.
Showing posts with label State Board of Psychology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label State Board of Psychology. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Tuesday, April 11, 2017
Welcker v. Georgia Board of Examiners of Psychologists
Legal Decision
Synopsis: Georgia State Board of Psychology is permitted to deny a license to an applicant, when the applicant's doctoral program does not meet the residency requirement, and, without substantial hardship.
Here are two excerpts:
Neither the Board's decision to deny Welcker a license nor their denial of her petition for waiver can be considered a contested case. Georgia law allows the denial of a license without a hearing where an applicant fails to show that she has met all the qualifications for that license. OCGA § 43-1-19 (a). Therefore, because no hearing was required by law before the denial of Welcker's license, the Board's denial of Welcker's license application does not present a contested case subject to judicial review.
The Board's decision to deny a petition for waiver also cannot be considered a contested case. OCGA § 43-1-19 (j) explicitly states that the "refusal to issue a previously denied license" shall not be considered a contested case under the Administrative Procedure Act and "notice and hearing with the meaning of the [Act] shall not be required"; however, the applicant "shall be allowed to appear before the board if he or she so requests." Nevertheless, such rulings are expressly made subject to judicial review under OCGA § 50-13-9.1 (f), which provides that "[t]he agency's decision to deny a petition for variance or waiver shall be subject to judicial review in accordance with Code Section 50-13-19."
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The Board denied Welcker's petition for waiver on two grounds: (1) her failure to meet the appropriate residency requirements "as per the Board rules in effect in 2007" and (2) her failure to prove a substantial hardship resulting from strict application of the rule.
The ruling is here.
Synopsis: Georgia State Board of Psychology is permitted to deny a license to an applicant, when the applicant's doctoral program does not meet the residency requirement, and, without substantial hardship.
Here are two excerpts:
Neither the Board's decision to deny Welcker a license nor their denial of her petition for waiver can be considered a contested case. Georgia law allows the denial of a license without a hearing where an applicant fails to show that she has met all the qualifications for that license. OCGA § 43-1-19 (a). Therefore, because no hearing was required by law before the denial of Welcker's license, the Board's denial of Welcker's license application does not present a contested case subject to judicial review.
The Board's decision to deny a petition for waiver also cannot be considered a contested case. OCGA § 43-1-19 (j) explicitly states that the "refusal to issue a previously denied license" shall not be considered a contested case under the Administrative Procedure Act and "notice and hearing with the meaning of the [Act] shall not be required"; however, the applicant "shall be allowed to appear before the board if he or she so requests." Nevertheless, such rulings are expressly made subject to judicial review under OCGA § 50-13-9.1 (f), which provides that "[t]he agency's decision to deny a petition for variance or waiver shall be subject to judicial review in accordance with Code Section 50-13-19."
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The Board denied Welcker's petition for waiver on two grounds: (1) her failure to meet the appropriate residency requirements "as per the Board rules in effect in 2007" and (2) her failure to prove a substantial hardship resulting from strict application of the rule.
The ruling is here.
Saturday, August 13, 2016
State board punishes UO counseling center director
By Diane Dietz
The Register-Guard
Originally published July 23, 2016
The state psychology regulatory board voted Friday to punish Shelly Kerr, director of the University of Oregon counseling center, for giving a student’s therapy records to university lawyers without the student’s consent.
Kerr, a senior UO staff psychologist, will receive a letter of reprimand, pay a civil penalty of $2,500 and complete a six-hour course on professional ethics, the Board of Psychologist Examiners ruled.
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“Here, given the lack of a signed release from the student and the inherent conflict between the university’s interest and (the psychologist’s) ethical obligations to protect privacy of (counseling center) clients, (Kerr) should have taken additional precautions to protect the student’s counseling records.
The article is here.
The Register-Guard
Originally published July 23, 2016
The state psychology regulatory board voted Friday to punish Shelly Kerr, director of the University of Oregon counseling center, for giving a student’s therapy records to university lawyers without the student’s consent.
Kerr, a senior UO staff psychologist, will receive a letter of reprimand, pay a civil penalty of $2,500 and complete a six-hour course on professional ethics, the Board of Psychologist Examiners ruled.
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“Here, given the lack of a signed release from the student and the inherent conflict between the university’s interest and (the psychologist’s) ethical obligations to protect privacy of (counseling center) clients, (Kerr) should have taken additional precautions to protect the student’s counseling records.
The article is here.
Tuesday, October 6, 2015
State board proposes discipline for University of Oregon psychologist over record release in rape case
The Associated Press
Originally published September 25, 2015
A state licensing board is proposing a $5,000 fine, a reprimand and ethics training for the head of the University of Oregon’s counseling office.
The proposed discipline, announced Friday, stems from allegations that Shelly Kerr released a student’s counseling records to the UO’s lawyers without the student’s permission. The student sought counseling after she said she was raped by three basketball players.
The rest of the article is here.
Originally published September 25, 2015
A state licensing board is proposing a $5,000 fine, a reprimand and ethics training for the head of the University of Oregon’s counseling office.
The proposed discipline, announced Friday, stems from allegations that Shelly Kerr released a student’s counseling records to the UO’s lawyers without the student’s permission. The student sought counseling after she said she was raped by three basketball players.
The rest of the article is here.
Sunday, September 13, 2015
Beyond the APA: The Role of Psychology Boards and State Courts in Propping up Torture
By Deborah Popowski
Just Security
Originally posted August 24, 2015
Here is an excerpt:
Licensing boards are legally mandated to protect people from the unsafe practice of psychology. This includes patients, all people with whom psychologists work, and the broader public. Yet, presented with evidence that their licensees had participated in or enabled torture, these state boards seemed to turn a blind eye. To truly understand how a profession dedicated to healing came to sanction brutality, we need a full investigation into how and why these boards dismissed misconduct complaints against psychologists James Mitchell, John Leso, Larry James, and Diane Zierhoffer. Did the state boards handle these complaints properly and in good faith, or did they, like the APA, strain their reading of the law to reach conclusions that would not restrict the government’s interrogation program — even if it included torture and cruelty? To what extent did they rely on compromised APA ethics policies and the now-discredited officials responsible for them?
The entire article is here.
Just Security
Originally posted August 24, 2015
Here is an excerpt:
Licensing boards are legally mandated to protect people from the unsafe practice of psychology. This includes patients, all people with whom psychologists work, and the broader public. Yet, presented with evidence that their licensees had participated in or enabled torture, these state boards seemed to turn a blind eye. To truly understand how a profession dedicated to healing came to sanction brutality, we need a full investigation into how and why these boards dismissed misconduct complaints against psychologists James Mitchell, John Leso, Larry James, and Diane Zierhoffer. Did the state boards handle these complaints properly and in good faith, or did they, like the APA, strain their reading of the law to reach conclusions that would not restrict the government’s interrogation program — even if it included torture and cruelty? To what extent did they rely on compromised APA ethics policies and the now-discredited officials responsible for them?
The entire article is here.
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Montco woman, Temple professor not a licensed psychologist
By Jo Ciavaglia
Bucks County Courier Times
Originally posted February 4, 2015
Susan Schecter-Cornbluth swore under oath that she was a practicing clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania, as well as licensed to practice family and marriage therapy in New Jersey.
But Solebury police say that the 41-year-old Montgomery County woman, who also teaches psychology at Temple University, lied.
They said Schecter-Cornbluth, of Ambler, committed perjury in December 2013 when she testified as an “expert witness” in a Bucks County family court hearing that she was a “licensed clinical psychologist” in New Jersey.
The entire article is here.
Bucks County Courier Times
Originally posted February 4, 2015
Susan Schecter-Cornbluth swore under oath that she was a practicing clinical psychologist in Pennsylvania, as well as licensed to practice family and marriage therapy in New Jersey.
But Solebury police say that the 41-year-old Montgomery County woman, who also teaches psychology at Temple University, lied.
They said Schecter-Cornbluth, of Ambler, committed perjury in December 2013 when she testified as an “expert witness” in a Bucks County family court hearing that she was a “licensed clinical psychologist” in New Jersey.
The entire article is here.
Friday, January 11, 2013
State of Pennsylvania suspends psychologists
Psychiatric Crimes Database
Originally published January 2, 2013
On July 31, the Pennsylvania Department of State (DoS) suspended psychologist John H. Edgette, pursuant to the Order of the Court of Common Pleas of York County dated July 17, 2012, which the court issued under section 4355 of the Domestic Relations Code, which regards issues of custody, visitation and support.
On November 5, 2012, the DoS suspended psychologist Scott Adam Merritt for a period of no less than one year and placed a public reprimand in his permanent disciplinary record with the board because he is unable to practice psychology with reasonable skill and safety by reason of illness or as a result of mental or physical condition.
On November 13, 2012, the DoS ordered psychologist Jennifer Hope Bullock to pay a civil penalty of $500 because she practiced as a licensed professional counselor while her license was lapsed.
Originally published January 2, 2013
On July 31, the Pennsylvania Department of State (DoS) suspended psychologist John H. Edgette, pursuant to the Order of the Court of Common Pleas of York County dated July 17, 2012, which the court issued under section 4355 of the Domestic Relations Code, which regards issues of custody, visitation and support.
On November 5, 2012, the DoS suspended psychologist Scott Adam Merritt for a period of no less than one year and placed a public reprimand in his permanent disciplinary record with the board because he is unable to practice psychology with reasonable skill and safety by reason of illness or as a result of mental or physical condition.
On November 13, 2012, the DoS ordered psychologist Jennifer Hope Bullock to pay a civil penalty of $500 because she practiced as a licensed professional counselor while her license was lapsed.
Sunday, August 19, 2012
Psychologist Has License Suspended
By Robert Cook
PortsmouthPatch - Public Safety
Originally published August 14, 2012
An Exeter psychologist charged with running a prostitution operation out of his Portsmouth apartment has had his license temporarily suspended by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health.
Alexander Marino, 38, of 565 Sagamore Ave., in Portsmouth is currently free on bail following his arrest for allowing his apartment in Sagamore Court to be used for prostitution. But until Monday, he was free to keep treating patients.
Peggy Lynch, the board's administrative assistant, said the board has scheduled a review hearing with Marino at Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord on Aug. 27 to determine if his license to practice psychiatry in New Hampshire will remain suspended or be re-instated as his criminal case proceeds through the court system.
The entire article is here.
PortsmouthPatch - Public Safety
Originally published August 14, 2012
An Exeter psychologist charged with running a prostitution operation out of his Portsmouth apartment has had his license temporarily suspended by the New Hampshire Board of Mental Health.
Alexander Marino, 38, of 565 Sagamore Ave., in Portsmouth is currently free on bail following his arrest for allowing his apartment in Sagamore Court to be used for prostitution. But until Monday, he was free to keep treating patients.
Peggy Lynch, the board's administrative assistant, said the board has scheduled a review hearing with Marino at Merrimack County Superior Court in Concord on Aug. 27 to determine if his license to practice psychiatry in New Hampshire will remain suspended or be re-instated as his criminal case proceeds through the court system.
The entire article is here.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Psychologist Christopher M. Allen surrenders license under investigation for sex with client
PsychCrimes Database
Originally published on August 11, 2012
On May 2, 2012, psychologist Christopher M. Allen surrendered his license to the Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners while under investigation. According to the Board’s stipulated order, Allen provided psychotherapist to a female client (Client A) who was referred to Allen by her boyfriend (Client B). During therapy with Client A, Allen made inappropriate self-disclosures to her and displayed poor judgment by continuing to see Client A during a time when he reported feeling strong attraction toward her.
The entire story is here.
Originally published on August 11, 2012
On May 2, 2012, psychologist Christopher M. Allen surrendered his license to the Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners while under investigation. According to the Board’s stipulated order, Allen provided psychotherapist to a female client (Client A) who was referred to Allen by her boyfriend (Client B). During therapy with Client A, Allen made inappropriate self-disclosures to her and displayed poor judgment by continuing to see Client A during a time when he reported feeling strong attraction toward her.
The entire story is here.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
California psychology board issues sex misconduct charge against Peter J. Murphy
PsychCrime Database
Originally published August 11, 2012
On February 7, 2012, the California Board of Psychology issued and Accusation against Peter J. Murphy, Ph.D., alleging sexual misconduct and unprofessional conduct.
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From March 2009 through at least December 2010, Murphy engaged in a sexual relationship with the intern, whom he first met when he provided group therapy to her young son, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.
The entire story is here.
Originally published August 11, 2012
On February 7, 2012, the California Board of Psychology issued and Accusation against Peter J. Murphy, Ph.D., alleging sexual misconduct and unprofessional conduct.
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From March 2009 through at least December 2010, Murphy engaged in a sexual relationship with the intern, whom he first met when he provided group therapy to her young son, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome.
The entire story is here.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Psychologist Lynda Harris-Boscaino surrenders license on felony
PsychCrime Database
Originally published August 11, 2012
On April 24, 2012, the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions reported that psychologist Lynda Harris-Boscaino of Spring Valley, New York surrendered her license. Harris-Boscaino was convicted of felony Grand Larceny.
The entire story is here.
Originally published August 11, 2012
On April 24, 2012, the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions reported that psychologist Lynda Harris-Boscaino of Spring Valley, New York surrendered her license. Harris-Boscaino was convicted of felony Grand Larceny.
The entire story is here.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Psychologist Carrie E. Schaffer suspended over sex with former patient
PsychCrime Database
Originally published August 11, 2012
On April 11, 2012, the Virginia Board of Psychology indefinitely suspended Carrie E. Schaffer, Ph.D.
According to the Board’s findings of fact, As of April 2011, Dr. Schaffer continued to be involved in an intimate and sexual relationship with a former client, which was the subject of an August 2010 Board Consent Order.
The entire information is here.
Originally published August 11, 2012
On April 11, 2012, the Virginia Board of Psychology indefinitely suspended Carrie E. Schaffer, Ph.D.
According to the Board’s findings of fact, As of April 2011, Dr. Schaffer continued to be involved in an intimate and sexual relationship with a former client, which was the subject of an August 2010 Board Consent Order.
The entire information is here.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Psychologist D. Laurence More surrenders license on charges of sex with two patients
Psychiatric Crimes Database
Originally published on June 11, 2012
On November 16, 2011, D. Laurence More, M.Ed. permanently surrendered his psychologist’s license to the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology.
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More admitted that, approximately one month following termination, he commenced a personal relationship with the wife and further admitted that approximately two to three months later, he commenced a sexual relationship with her.
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More engaged in a sexual relationship with a different patient without first waiting two years after terminating professional services, as required by Board regulations.
The entire story is here.
Originally published on June 11, 2012
On November 16, 2011, D. Laurence More, M.Ed. permanently surrendered his psychologist’s license to the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology.
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More admitted that, approximately one month following termination, he commenced a personal relationship with the wife and further admitted that approximately two to three months later, he commenced a sexual relationship with her.
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More engaged in a sexual relationship with a different patient without first waiting two years after terminating professional services, as required by Board regulations.
The entire story is here.
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Judge sends suspended Doc back to work
By Andy Fox
WAVY.com
Originally published on June 7, 2012
A local psychologist who is often called on by local courts to give advice on child custody decisions is back in business.
WAVY.com first told you earlier this week the Virginia Psychology Board indefinitely suspended Dr. Brian Wald for inappropriate relations with a client.
But a trip to court changed that. The Judge basically overruled the Psychology Board, allowing Dr. Wald to go back to work until the matter is settled in court in September. The Judge set several conditions: Wald must take an ethics course, he must continue his own therapy, he must have supervision during clinical cases and he is prohibited from participating in parental custody cases in Norfolk.
Here is a video of the local newscast.
The entire article is here. A prior blog entry can be found here.
WAVY.com
Originally published on June 7, 2012
A local psychologist who is often called on by local courts to give advice on child custody decisions is back in business.
WAVY.com first told you earlier this week the Virginia Psychology Board indefinitely suspended Dr. Brian Wald for inappropriate relations with a client.
But a trip to court changed that. The Judge basically overruled the Psychology Board, allowing Dr. Wald to go back to work until the matter is settled in court in September. The Judge set several conditions: Wald must take an ethics course, he must continue his own therapy, he must have supervision during clinical cases and he is prohibited from participating in parental custody cases in Norfolk.
Here is a video of the local newscast.
The entire article is here. A prior blog entry can be found here.
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Va. Beach court psychologist suspended
By Andy Fox
wavy.com
Originally published on June 4, 2012
A clinical psychologist was suspended indefinitely and charged with inappropriate behavior with a client after a woman claimed he kissed her.
Local courts relied on Dr. Brian Wald to give advice on parental custody in divorce cases. In documents obtained by WAVY.com the Board of Psychology says Wald is a danger to public health and safety.
His website states he has conducted over 300 parenting capacity evaluations and now he's suspended indefinitely and the likely target of a civil lawsuit.
The entire story is here.
wavy.com
Originally published on June 4, 2012
A clinical psychologist was suspended indefinitely and charged with inappropriate behavior with a client after a woman claimed he kissed her.
Local courts relied on Dr. Brian Wald to give advice on parental custody in divorce cases. In documents obtained by WAVY.com the Board of Psychology says Wald is a danger to public health and safety.
His website states he has conducted over 300 parenting capacity evaluations and now he's suspended indefinitely and the likely target of a civil lawsuit.
The entire story is here.
Charlottesville psychologist's license suspended after alleged intimate activity with former client
By Daily Progress Staff Reporters
The Daily Progress
May 25, 2012
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The Virginia Board of Psychology has suspended indefinitely a Charlottesville practitioner’s license after her continued intimate and sexual involvement with a former client, according to an order issued by the board.
The Daily Progress
May 25, 2012
The Virginia Board of Psychology has suspended indefinitely a Charlottesville practitioner’s license after her continued intimate and sexual involvement with a former client, according to an order issued by the board.The document claims Carrie E. Schaffer, a local clinical psychologist, was not truthful in a self-report to the board in 2009 in which she said she ended a relationship with the former client.
Thanks to Ken Pope for this information.
Friday, May 18, 2012
Court of Appeal Says Psychologist Can Be Disciplined For Misconduct as Family Law Special Master
By MetNews Staff Writer
Metropolitan News-Enterprise
Originally Published May 11, 2012
The state Board of Psychology properly disciplined a licensee for unethical conduct while serving as a special master in a contentious family law case, the Third District Court of Appeal ruled yesterday.
Metropolitan News-Enterprise
Originally Published May 11, 2012
The state Board of Psychology properly disciplined a licensee for unethical conduct while serving as a special master in a contentious family law case, the Third District Court of Appeal ruled yesterday. The justices affirmed Sacramento Superior Court Judge Patrick Marlette’s denial of Dr. Randy Rand’s petition for writ of mandate. Rand was challenging the board’s order placing him on probation for five years, based on findings of unprofessional conduct, gross negligence, violation of statutes governing the practice of psychology, and dishonesty.
Los Angeles-Area Psychologist Surrenders License
Psychiatric Crime Database
A Public Service of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights
Originally Published May 10, 2012
On March 6, 2012, psychologist Ross U. Porter surrendered his license to the California Board of Psychology in lieu of facing a hearing on twelve counts of negligence.
According to the Board’s document which laid out the accusations against him, Porter engaged in multiple relationships with the daughter of a family to whom he provided individual and family therapy. The family, described in the state’s documents as “The ‘A’ Family,” consisted of a mother, father and six children.
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Porter encouraged Angela to interact socially with his family and to do volunteer work in conjunction with a fundraiser for Porter’s non-profit organization he ran called Stillpoint. Porter also hired and paid her to baby sit and house sit for him. When a health care practitioner engages a patient in his or her business or social activities, it is considered potentially harmful to the patient and is a violation of the American Psychological Association’s ethical principles, as well as a violation of sections of the California Business and Professions Code.
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In late 2008, during a therapy session with Angela and her parents, Porter recommended that Angela be allowed to move into his home for an indefinite period of time. It was agreed and she moved in.
The whole story is here.
A Public Service of the Citizens Commission on Human Rights
Originally Published May 10, 2012
According to the Board’s document which laid out the accusations against him, Porter engaged in multiple relationships with the daughter of a family to whom he provided individual and family therapy. The family, described in the state’s documents as “The ‘A’ Family,” consisted of a mother, father and six children.
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Porter encouraged Angela to interact socially with his family and to do volunteer work in conjunction with a fundraiser for Porter’s non-profit organization he ran called Stillpoint. Porter also hired and paid her to baby sit and house sit for him. When a health care practitioner engages a patient in his or her business or social activities, it is considered potentially harmful to the patient and is a violation of the American Psychological Association’s ethical principles, as well as a violation of sections of the California Business and Professions Code.
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In late 2008, during a therapy session with Angela and her parents, Porter recommended that Angela be allowed to move into his home for an indefinite period of time. It was agreed and she moved in.
The whole story is here.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Prison psychologist loses license, job
Former staffer who faked rape has license suspended by the
Board of Psychology
By Laura Newell, Telegraph Staff Writer
 |
| Laurie Ann Martinez |
A psychologist who allegedly faked her own rape earlier this
year has lost her job with the California Department of Corrections and
Rehabilitation.
Laurie Ann Martinez, a licensed psychologist for the state
prison system who worked at New Folsom Prison, was terminated from her post.
Her last day was Dec. 22, three days after her court appearance.
Her license has also been suspended by the state Board of
Psychology.
The board is seeking to permanently revoke her license.
“The criminal allegations against Ms. Martinez are serious
enough to warrant this action,” said Board Executive Officer Robert Kahane.
“Our mission is to protect consumers, and we think allowing Martinez to
continue to practice poses a threat to consumer health and safety.”
The rest of the story is here.
Monday, November 28, 2011
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