Mr Steven Spring, a clinical psychologist, provided couples therapy for Carolina Winters (fake name) and Tony Carter (fake name). Steven also provided individual therapy for Carolina.

Carolina received treatment from Steven for 5 months and during treatment, Carolina understandably disclosed highly personal matters about herself and about her husband Tony. After a few months, Carolina and Steven started an intimate and sexual relationship. Tony later found out about the relationship from emails between Carolina and Steven.

After Tony found out, he made a series of death threats to Steven. Steven disclosed to his other patients that he had received death threats and in light of this, he might need to suddenly cancel treatment. He also asked one of his patients for the contact details of a hitman.

The Psychology Board of Australia stated that Steven’s patients likely felt frightened by this information as they probably thought that a violent man may enter the room during their therapy sessions. Dr Varghese prepared a report about Steven's professional behaviour and stated that Steven had a disturbing lack of insight and a lack of empathy for his patients.

Steven was held liable for Professional Misconduct for having an intimate and sexual relationship with a patient and for disclosing personal information to his patients. He was banned from practising as a clinical psychologist for 2 years and 6 months and he was ordered to pay the Psychology Board of Australia’s legal fees.

Further Reading