Patient sues psychologist accused of billing for sex sessions

[Tony_FLADEM]

Source: St. Petersburg Times

TAMPA — A patient has sued a psychologist whose license was suspended in January after state investigators determined the two had sex during sessions billed to an insurance company.

The patient, identified in court records as "HF," had an "ongoing sexual relationship" with psychologist Daniel R. Lerom on a weekly and sometimes daily basis, while Lerom billed her insurance for more than $1,400 in treatment, the lawsuit said.

Lerom, 49, who operated out of Plaza Therapy Associates in Tampa, also repeatedly used the woman's prescription drugs, according to the lawsuit


Read more: www.tampabay.com/news/patient-sues-psychologist-accused-of-billing-for-sex-sessions/1072613

[AngryAmish]

1. Florida...

[BadgerKid]

2. You missed the last thread.

:popcorn:

[DJ13]

3. Is that where the term "out of pocket expense" comes from?

[Betsy Ross]

4. good one n/t

[Blue_Tires]

5. he's probably one of those "HCR will make my costs go way up!!"

[undeterred]

6. Does the psychologist have an identity disorder?

Like thinking he's a hooker?

[MadHound]

7. Why does the Marvin Gaye tune Sexual Healing come to mind?

"Makes me feel so fine
Helps to relieve my mind. . ."

[1957john1957]

8. Sexual misconduct by clinical psychologists is not as rare as one might think.

Most states require licensed psychologists to have a Ph.D. (or Psy.D. - which is probably not as academically rigorous) which require about 5-6 years schooling/training, so you'd think they could beat into their heads the harm that can be done to patients by this sort of behavior. But alas, they don't - even though ethically and legal standards make it absolute clear that sexual interaction with patients (or even ex-patients) is unforgiveable. They only amazing thing here is that a small portion actually get their licenses suspended.

There was a psychologist in Madison, Wisconsin who was counselling a married woman and who, after a joint session with the husband, had a sexual encounter with the woman (yes, there was still a patient relationship). In 2001, the Wisconsin Board of Psychology simply suspended his license for a year (he appealed! causing further pain to the patient - the appeal was unsuccessful and the original decision of the Wisconsin Board of Psychology was affirmed - details are here: www.wicourts.gov/ca/opinions/02/pdf/02-2726.pdf; for additional details, see online.drl.wi.gov/decisions/2001/ls0002231psy-00073397.pdf ).

The sexual misconduct occurred in 1986; it took almost 10 years for the patient to find the strength to file a complaint. The complaint was filed in January 1997 and it took THREE years for the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing to issue a formal complaint (Feb. 2000). This sort of violation of the professional/patient relationship can do extreme damage, and many patients choose to not file complaints because of the further mental and emotional turmoil it causes. Thus, many such violations go unreported and unpunished. This turmoil is further aggravated when it takes such an unreasonable length of time for the oversight agencies to take formal action. Meanwhile, the professional may indeed be continuing with unethical behavior. The penalty? A suspension and Steve Stein was required to undergo a psychological evaluation which "will inquire into Dr. Stein's ability to maintain appropriate boundaries and his ability to recognize and accept responsibility for professional misconduct, especially sexual misconduct, in order to address whether Dr. Stein may safely and competently engage in the practice of psychology". Hardly a strong deterrence to such illegal & unethical behavior.

[lindisfarne]

9. Sadly, Steve Stein is teaching psychology courses at Upper Iowa University, as well as still a

Sadly, Steve Stein is teaching psychology courses at Upper Iowa University, as well as still a practicing psychologist