Panel hearing summary 2020.0901

Decision of the Psychology Board of Australia

Performance and professional standards panel 

Jurisdiction: Victoria
Date of Decision: 20 April 2021

Classification of Notification

Clinical Care - Unnecessary treatment/over-servicing and Inadequate of inappropriate testing or investigation

Summary

The Board referred allegations that the Practitioner breached professional boundaries by allowing two of her clients, who were children, to stay at her residence while their parents went on holiday. Various concerns regarding the Practitioner’s clinical management of the clients were also referred to panel. This includes whether the Practitioner adequately assessed, diagnosed and treated the clients, and whether the Practitioner accessed National Disability Insurance Scheme funding based on legitimate diagnoses for the clients.

The Panel developed significant concerns regarding the Practitioner’s assessment of the clients and the diagnoses she arrived at. On the basis of likely erroneous diagnoses, the Practitioner set in train years of high frequency treatment. The Panel were of the opinion that it is highly likely that the Practitioner’s inappropriate diagnosis and treatment contributed to significant adverse consequences for both clients, and that there is a likelihood of long-term adverse consequences. The Panel also formed the view that it is possible fraudulent billing practices were involved.

Based on the concerns noted above, the Panel, without making findings, referred the matter to the tribunal as it formed the reasonable belief that the Practitioner may have behaved in a way that constitutes professional misconduct.