Panel hearing summary 2023.0919

Decision of the Psychology Board of Australia

Performance and professional standards panel

Jurisdiction: Queensland
Date of Decision: 17 August 2023

Classification of Notification

Boundary violation - other inappropriate relationship (non-sexual); Clinical care - inappropriate discharge or transfer

Summary

The Board referred allegations that the Practitioner failed to appropriately terminate the treating relationship with a client, and that the Practitioner engaged in breaches of professional boundaries by entering into a personal and/or business relationship with a client.

The Panel found that the Practitioner had engaged in unsatisfactory professional performance and unprofessional conduct under sections 191(1)(b)(i) and 191(1)(b)(ii) of the National Law, respectively, and that she had breached various standards of the Australian Psychological Society’s Code of Ethics. The Panel decided to reprimand the Practitioner and impose conditions on her registration requiring she undertake education and supervision. The Panel considered that the reprimand and conditions imposed are reflective of the seriousness of the Practitioner’s conduct.

In making its decision, the Panel considered that that the Practitioner’s conduct was serious. Whilst the Panel acknowledged the Practitioner was remorseful for her conduct, it considered that she had still not demonstrated adequate insight as to how her conduct contributed to the events the subject of the notification against her and had failed to demonstrate an adequate understanding of her professional and ethical obligations.