CPBAO 2019

The College of Psychologists of Ontario brought disciplinary proceedings against a psychologist for engaging in a sexual relationship with a former client within two years of terminating the therapeutic relationship.

The member admitted to the allegations and the parties submitted an agreed statement of facts and a joint submission on penalty.

The Discipline Committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct and ordered a reprimand, a 12-month suspension (with 4 months suspended upon completion of remedial courses), and $2,000 in costs.

The College of Psychologists of Ontario brought professional misconduct allegations against the respondent for providing psychological services to a friend and referring him to a contract employee for an assessment.

The respondent admitted to the allegations in an Agreed Statement of Facts.

The Discipline Committee found the respondent guilty of practicing in a conflict of interest and failing to maintain professional standards.

Accepting a joint submission on penalty, the Committee ordered a reprimand and a one-month suspension, which was suspended on the condition that the respondent complete ethics courses.

The College of Psychologists of Ontario alleged that the member committed professional misconduct by engaging in a personal, romantic, and sexual relationship with a client who was receiving neurofeedback services at her clinic.

Although the services were administered by a technician, they were billed as psychological services under the member's supervision.

The member admitted to the allegations of practicing in a conflict of interest, unprofessional conduct, and failing to maintain professional standards.

The Discipline Committee accepted the joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand and a 12-month suspension, with 5 months suspended upon successful completion of a professional ethics course.

A psychologist admitted to professional misconduct for failing to report allegations of child abuse to the Children's Aid Society over a seven-year period, contrary to section 72 of the Child and Family Services Act.

The Discipline Committee accepted the admission and a joint submission on penalty including a reprimand and remedial coursework.

A majority of the panel ordered a two-month suspension of his certificate of registration, emphasizing the seriousness of the failure to report and the need for general deterrence.

A minority would have imposed a one-month suspension, remitted upon completion of the remedial requirements.

The member faced allegations of professional misconduct for failing to adequately supervise an unregistered psychotherapist and failing to maintain proper clinical and billing records.

The member admitted to the allegations via an Agreed Statement of Facts.

The Discipline Committee found the member guilty of professional misconduct and accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand and a 12-month individualized coaching program at the member's expense.