Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure - Disciplinary Action
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2006
CONNELL, LINDA J.
License Number: RC1958
License Type: Registered Counselor
Complaint Number: 2006-COU-2858
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 12/18/06
Summary: Licensee admitted that she had performed diagnoses of mental health disorders on more than one occasion out of ignorance. A license of clinical status is required in order to render diagnoses of mental health disorders. A counselor registration does not confer clinical status. Licensee agreed to a reprimand and a $500 civil penalty.
FRENCH, JASON
License Number: XL2680
License Type: Clinical Counselor – Conditional
Complaint Number: 2006-COU-2782
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 12/18/06
Summary: The complaint alleged that licensee was practicing without supervision with respect to the Support Solutions clients who he was treating. Licensee admitted that although he had the requisite supervision for his practice at another agency, he did not have supervision for the Support Solutions clients. Licensee agreed to a reprimand and a $250 civil penalty. Licensee agreed to complete an additional 1,500 hours of supervised counselor experience to be eligible for full licensure as a clinical professional counselor.
HANRON, HOPE S.
License Number: CC2701
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Complaint Number: 2005-COU-140
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 2/10/06
Summary: The complaint alleged that licensee falsified client records with respect to the time and length of several client sessions. Licensee acknowledged that she failed to document the accurate dates and the individual lengths of particular client sessions but denies that there was any discrepancy as to the total time spent with a client or any attempt at fraud. Licensee agreed to a reprimand.
LITCHFIELD, JEAN E.
License Number: CC183
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Complaint Number: 2000-COU-83
Disposition: Second Consent Agreement dated 11/27/06
Summary: Licensee agreed that the board may have access to supervision reports submitted to the State Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors in connection with an April 12, 2006 Decision and Order of the latter board. Licensee also agreed that any failure on her part to comply with the fine or supervision requirements in the alcohol and drug Decision and Order are grounds for nonrenewal or revocation of her counselor license. The board agreed to renew the license provided that licensee has met all other requirements for renewal.
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2005
ADAMS, GEORGE A.
License Number: CC1791
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Complaint Number: 2004-COU-129
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 11/28/05
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that his client files at the agency where he was employed were not current or organized. Licensee was also not able to readily organize the information so that it could be presented in a coherent manner. When licensee became concerned with his employer's reaction to this situation, he falsified client signatures on Individual Service Plans. During this period, licensee was drinking in a manner that affected his work at the agency, including arriving intoxicated at a meeting with supervisory staff to discuss these issues. Licensee allowed his license to expire during the pendency of this complaint and has not reapplied for that license. Licensee voluntarily surrendered the license.
BROCHE, GABRIELLE
License Number: CC1068
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Complaint Number: COU-119
Disposition: Decision and Order dated 3/28/05
Summary: Licensee conducted marital counseling with a husband (H) and wife (W) in the second half of 1999. During counseling W discussed subjects in addition to marital problems. In 2000 the couple divorced. Licensee had not contact with H or W from January 2000 until September 2002. Licensee and H subsequently dated, were intimate on one occasion, and maintained a platonic relationship thereafter. Before embarking on this relationship, licensee discussed the relevant board rule and the ethics involved with her supervisor, her supervisory group, and a former board member. Licensee interpreted the responses she received in to allow for a romantic relationship with H. Licensee did not make an effort to contact W before dating H, did not see any imbalance or exploitation in a dating relationship with H, and did not consider W to any longer be a client. In May 2003 W realized that her ex-husband was dating their former marriage counselor some 2.5 years after they had confided their marital problems to her. Subsequently W temporarily stopped eating, had trouble sleeping, was subject to anxiety attacks, was prescribed medication until October 2003, had suicidal thoughts and sought and received counseling from May through August 2003. The board held that licensee violated a board rule requiring a licensee who engages in a sexual relationship with a client more than 2 years after termination of the counseling experience "to thoroughly examine that such relations are not of an exploitive nature nor have an adverse impact on the client based on facts such as duration of counseling, amount of time since counseling, termination circumstances, client's personal history and mental status."
The board issued licensee a reprimand, suspended the license for 90 days, and ordered licensee to pay $3000 hearing costs. The board also ordered licensee to attend, by September 28, 2007, 40 hourly sessions of supervision by an LCPC. The purpose of the sessions is to provide instruction and direction regarding ethics and boundaries.
CLEAVES, LINDA S.
License Number: CC1831
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Complaint Number: COU-132
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 6/16/05
Summary: The complaint charged that licensee provided marital counseling to the complainant's husband, who subsequently entered into a romantic relationship with licensee and divorced complainant. Licensee admitted to the romantic relationship with the complainant's husband, but stated that it did not begin until after they terminated counseling. Licensee agreed to a reprimand and also agreed that she is no longer eligible for licensure with the board at any level and if she should so apply, the board is not obligated to entertain any such application.
JOHNSON, ANITA
License Number: CC2064
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Complaint Number: COU-136
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 7/26/05
Summary: Licensee resigned her position as a clinical supervisor without giving any advance notice, thereby abandoning her caseload of 12 families. In her response to the complaint, licensee stated that her abrupt departure was due to a hostile and racist work environment that raised ethical and professional concerns. Licensee agreed to a reprimand and a $500 civil penalty.
KEEF, MICHELE M.
License Number: MF2182
License Type: Marriage & Family Therapist
Complaint Number: COU-143
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 8/22/05
Summary: Licensee indicated on her renewal application that she had completed only 34 of the 55 hours of continuing education required for renewal. Licensee agreed to complete the outstanding 21 hours in 180 days. The board agreed to renew the license.
WILLIAMS, DENISE M.
License Number: CC1846
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Complaint Number: COU-141
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 5/23/05
Summary: Licensee admitted that she failed to complete 34 of the 55 hours of continuing education required for renewal of her license. Licensee agreed to submit proof of completion of the outstanding hours within 180 days. The board agreed to renew the license.
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2004
KELLEHER, PATRICIA V.
License Number: CC2066
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Complaint Number: COU-122
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 6/21/04
Summary: Licensee admitted that she breached the confidentiality of a client to another client. Licensee agreed to a reprimand. Licensee also agreed to increase her weekly supervision to two hours per week for adult cases and one hour per week for child cases, complete a workshop on ethics and legal issues, and complete a CD-ROM ethics course.
MOORE, RUTH A.
License Number: RC2487
License Type: Registered Counselor
Complaint Number: COU-120
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 6/21/04
Summary: Licensee admitted that she represented herself as a professional counselor prior to being issued a registration and entered into a therapeutic relationship with an individual with whom she had had an earlier non-therapeutic relationship. Licensee agreed to a reprimand, agreed to surrender her registration and agreed to never seek licensure or registration with the board at any level in the future.
TROTTIER, MARIANNE
License Number: CC493
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Complaint Number: COU-112
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 6/28/04
Summary: Licensee admitted that she engaged in a sexual relationship with a client. Licensee agreed to a reprimand, agreed to surrender her license to the board, and agreed that she will no longer be eligible for licensure or registration at any level with the board.
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2003
LIBBY, DOUGLAS L., JR.
License Number: CC56
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 8/25/03
Summary: Licensee admitted that he arrived for a therapy session with a minor client in an intoxicated state. Licensee agreed to a reprimand. Licensee also agreed to undergo a full assessment by a licensed alcohol and drug counselor. The purpose of the assessment is to evaluate the licensee's ability to function as a clinical professional counselor, his progress and rehabilitation to date and the outlook for recovery, and to develop a proposed treatment plan for approval by the board.
MORINI, PATRICIA
License Number: CC237
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Complaint Number: COU-96, COU-99
Disposition: Decision and Order dated 12/30/03
Summary: Licensee failed to competently treat a client suffering from disassociative identity disorder. Licensee committed a variety of boundary violations as licensee became over involved in the therapy. Licensee also initiated and maintained a dual relationship in which licensee fostered a close personal relationship with the client. (See decision for specific findings.) The board issued licensee a reprimand; granted licensee's application for license renewal but suspended the license for 3 months; placed licensee on probation for 1 year following the completion of the suspension; ordered that licensee receive weekly supervision, 12-15 counseling sessions by an ethics specialist, and individual treatment during the period of probation; imposed a $2250 civil penalty; and ordered licensee to pay the board's hearing costs of $9,937.14.
WADAS, VIVIAN LEE
License Number: CC504
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Complaint Number: COU-109, COU-116
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 11/3/03
Summary: Licensee admitted that she conducted an evening therapy session with a client during which she counseled the client while they went to several different bars and partook of alcoholic beverages. Licensee agreed to a reprimand and a $1000 civil penalty. Licensee also agreed to meet for monthly 1.5 hour sessions with a supervising licensed clinical professional counselor for a period of 1 year to obtain instruction, direction and oversight with respect to professional boundaries and ethics as well as substance abuse as it may affect the practice of professional counseling.
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2002
COBB, A. MICHELLE
License Number: PC549
License Type: Professional Counselor
Case Number: COU-091
Disposition: Decision and Order dated 12/26/02
Summary: Licensee stipulated that during the course of professional treatment she rendered diagnoses of two minor children, that she submitted these diagnoses to the father's insurance company for reimbursement, and that she was reimbursed by the insurance company. The board found that licensee, a licensed professional counselor, was not authorized to diagnose and treat mental health disorders. Licensee was issued a censure and a $500 civil penalty. Licensee was also ordered to pay $500 of the board's costs and to receive 30 hours of supervision by a supervisor approved by the board regarding the psychodynamics of fee setting, including how fee setting effects treatment, coupled with insurance and ethical considerations. [Note: Case has been appealed to Superior Court.]
5/3/06 UPDATE
The Superior Court remanded the matter to the board to take additional evidence regarding the meaning of the term "mental health disorder" and whether what licensee diagnosed constituted mental health disorders. On August 9, 2004 the board issued its decision on remand, which again found Cobb in violation. Cobb again appealed to Superior Court, which affirmed the board's decision on remand. On May 3, 2006, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, in a split decision, affirmed the Superior Court's affirmance of the board's decision on remand. See A. Michelle Cobb v. Board of Counseling Professionals Licensure, Decision No. 2006 ME 48.
COLLIGAN, JAMES E.
License Number: RC2105
License Type: Registered Counselor
Case Number: COU-94 and COU-97
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 10/9/02
Summary: Licensee, whose license expired subsequent to the filing of two complaints, agreed never to seek licensure or registration at any level with the board. No finding of violation was made and no sanction was imposed. The complaints alleged that: (a) licensee failed to disclose a criminal conviction on his application, and (b) licensee was abusive to a former girlfriend, used her prescription drugs, had an addiction problem, routinely drove without a valid license with passengers in the vehicle, including clients, forged her name on the title of a car, violated client confidentiality to the girlfriend on a regular basis, and had a history of criminal convictions. The board offered a consent agreement as an alternative to an adjudicatory hearing. Licensee and the board entered into the consent agreement to resolve the controversy.
EDELSTON, A. Kenneth
License Number: LC703, CC1112
License Type: Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor, Clinical Counselor
Complaint Number: AD-138 and COU-093
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 3/1/02
Summary: Licensee admitted that on two occasions he made an inappropriate, suggestive comment to client, which client interpreted to be a sexual overture on the part of licensee. Licensee was issued a reprimand and ordered to meet for monthly 1 ½ hour face-to-face consultations with a dually-licensed alcohol and drug counselor/clinical professional counselor consultant to obtain instruction, direction and oversight with respect to professional boundaries and ethics. Licensee was also ordered to complete six contact hours of continuing education in professional ethics and boundaries related to alcohol and drug counseling.
EDLESTON, Kenneth A.
License Number: CC1112, LC703
License Type: Clinical Counselor, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Case Number: COU-104 and AD-153
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 6/24/02
Summary: Licensee was charged with breaching confidentiality of client whose previous complaint resulted in a consent agreement by revealing identity of client to licensee's spouse who subsequently contacted licensee's client by writing a letter. Licensee agreed to permanently surrender his license and to never seek registration or licensure with the board at any level at any time in the future.
(same case also entered this year under Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors case number AD-153)
ERMINGER, JUDITH E.
License Number: PC2002
License Type: Professional Counselor
Case Number: COU-105
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 10/28/02
Summary: Licensee admitted that she revealed confidential information regarding a minor client obtained in the course of treatment when she was not required to do so by law or expressly permitted to do so by the client. Licensee agreed to a reprimand and agreed to meet for 4 one hour face-to-face consultations with a counseling professional holding a clinical level license to obtain instruction and direction with respect to client confidentiality specifically and professional ethics generally.
LIFGREN, Karin
License Number: CC-1129
License Type: Clinical Counselor
Case Number: COU-61, COU-72
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 3/25/02
Summary: Licensee was charged with accepting one client as a rent-paying resident in her home for five months, during which time client served as friend and confidante to licensee and provided child care for licensee's three-year-old daughter. Licensee was charged with confiding personal matters to a second client, having client perform errands for her, and inviting client to licensee's home and to restaurants. Licensee was issued a reprimand and declared ineligible for relicensure for three years. Licensee must engage a mental health professional for at least one year in order to re-apply for licensure at the conclusion of the three-year period of ineligibility. If licensee is re-licensed at that time, she will be on probation for a minimum period of two years, during which time she must meet face-to-face with a supervising clinical counselor for one hour every two weeks.
LITCHFIELD, Jean E.
License Number: CC183 and LC50
License Type: Clinical Professional Counselor, Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Case Number: COU-083 and AD-132
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 5/08/02
Summary: Licensee admitted that she violated ethical provisions of the board arising out of her engagement of two clients to facilitate recovery groups for the agency licensee owns and operates. Licensee was issued a reprimand and a $600 civil penalty. Licensee agreed to monthly face-to-face consultation sessions of at least one hour duration with an independent, board approved dually-licensed alcohol and drug counselor/clinical professional counselor consultant for a minimum period of one year and six months to provide licensee with instruction, direction and oversight with respect to professional boundaries and ethics
(same case also entered this year under Board of Alcohol and Drug Counselors case number AD-132)
MAGUR, GARY B.
License Number: RC1543
License Type: Registered Counselor
Case Number: COU-077
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 8/26/02
Summary: Licensee admitted that he: (a) failed to recognize potential or actual harm to the client when diagnosing, treating, or advising clients on problems outside the recognized boundaries of his competence, (b) failed to provide the client with specific orientation or information regarding the purpose of the testing or the proposed use of tests prior to administration of assessment instruments or techniques in language that the client can understand, and (c) used test instruments beyond licensee's competence for administration, scoring and interpretation. Licensee agreed to three reprimands, one for each of the three violations described above. Licensee agreed to meet for monthly 1½ hour face-to-face consultations with a licensed clinical professional counselor or a licensed psychologist for a period of 1 year to obtain instruction with respect to the appropriate use of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory and other diagnostic testing instruments, and the appropriate protocol for making diagnoses. Licensee also agreed to complete 30 hours of continuing professional education in the administration of the MMPI and other related interpretive instruments of sufficient depth and nature to address his shortcomings in the administration and use of this and similar testing instruments.
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2001
NOTHING TO REPORT
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2000
BALLAM, Deborah C.
License Number: CC683
License Type: Clinical Professional Counselor
Case Number: COU-066
Disposition: Board Order dated 1/24/00
Summary: Licensee violated board standards of practice and code of ethics by writing a letter to the Maine District Court about the client without the client's consent. The letter was used against the client's interests in a custody proceeding. Licensee was put on probation pending her completion no later than December 31, 2000 of a graduate school level course(s) providing instruction in certain areas. Licensee was also ordered to receive supervision at least one time per month for six months from a board-approved supervisor with a strong background in family and marriage counseling.
HANNA, Deborah
License Number: MF1512; CC1713
License Type: Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist; Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Case Number: COU-078
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 12/27/00
Summary: Licensee admitted that she failed to report a known instance of child sexual abuse to the Department of Human Services. Licensee was issued a warning and a $300 civil penalty.
HELLSTROM, Michael W.
License Number: CC1191
License Type: Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Case Number: COU-056
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 9/25/00
Summary: Complaint alleged multiple instances of sexual contact between licensee and client, one incident of sexual intercourse between licensee and client, physically comforting contact of licensee with client that was not of an explicitly sexual nature, approximately six counseling sessions between licensee and client that took place on a beach, and licensee's use of client's car during client's hospitalization. Licensee did not admit sexual intercourse, sexual contact, or physical contact that in licensee's belief could create a reasonable inference that sexual, physical contact was being solicited. With respect to the remaining allegations, licensee acknowledged having engaged in a dual relationship with a client, exploiting a relationship with a client for personal gain or financial advantage and other violations. Licensee was issued a reprimand, a 60 day license suspension, and was put on probation for two years of active practice. As a special condition of probation, licensee was ordered to meet for biweekly one hour face-to-face special individual supervisory sessions with an approved supervisor for "the continued study of and reflection on the ethical issues raised by the violation of this case [sic] and for practical guidance in handling related issues in Respondent's professional practice."
LAUSIER, Donna J.
License Number: CC1230
License Type: Clinical Professional Counselor
Case Number: COU-063
Disposition: Consent Agreement dated 1/24/00
Summary: Licensee acknowledged that she failed to avoid the establishment of a nontherapeutic personal relationship with a client. This consisted in part of the licensee discussing her personal problems with the client and accepting comfort from the client concerning those problems, including a hug of a nonsexual nature. Licensee was issued a formal warning and was ordered to meet for a minimum of six one hour face-to-face supervision sessions with an approved supervisor to obtain instruction and direction with respect to professional ethics and responsibilities, specifically those dealing with establishing and maintaining appropriate personal boundaries between the licensee and her clients to avoid establishing dual relationships, even of a temporary or transitory nature, between the licensee and her clients.
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Last Updated:
May 7, 2009
