Health Law - CPBAO

The College of Psychologists of Ontario sought to withdraw all allegations against the respondent set out in a Notice of Hearing.

The parties agreed to resolve the proceedings on the basis of an undertaking executed by the respondent, in which he agreed to resign from the College and never re-apply for registration or provide psychological services in any jurisdiction.

The Discipline Committee granted the request to withdraw the allegations, finding it to be in the public interest and protective of the public given the respondent's permanent resignation.

The College of Psychologists of Ontario brought professional misconduct allegations against a member, including sexual abuse, abuse, and sexual harassment of a patient.

The member pled no contest and an Agreed Statement of Uncontested Facts was filed.

The Discipline Committee found that the member engaged in professional misconduct by kissing, inappropriately touching, and consuming alcohol with a patient, as well as engaging in overly personal communications.

The Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand, an indefinite suspension until the member provides an undertaking to resign and never reapply, and costs.

The College of Psychologists of Ontario brought professional misconduct allegations against Dr. Augustine Meier.

The member admitted to failing to maintain professional standards, providing services not likely to benefit a client, and disclosing client information without consent.

Specifically, the member provided custody and access recommendations despite acknowledging a conflict of interest, and disclosed personal health information without consent.

The Discipline Committee accepted an Agreed Statement of Facts and a joint submission on penalty, ordering a reprimand, a 12-month coaching program, and $3,500 in costs.

The member, a psychologist, admitted to professional misconduct for failing to maintain the standards of the profession in preparing an independent medical examination report for a client seeking disability benefits.

The report contained internal inconsistencies, factual errors regarding verifiable biographical and medical data, and was poorly written.

The Discipline Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a nine-month restriction on the member performing clinical assessments except under the guidance and support of a peer supervisor, along with $3,500 in costs.

The College of Psychologists of Ontario brought professional misconduct allegations against the member for failing to adequately supervise a psychotherapist who provided services to an adolescent, an area outside the member's authorized practice.

The member admitted to the allegations, including inadequate supervision records and billing irregularities.

The Discipline Committee accepted a joint submission on penalty, ordering a 12-month supervised coaching program and $3,500 in costs.

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.

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 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.

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.