California Board revoked psychologist Jon Stanley Bunce’s license for numerous departures

August 24, 2009

The California Board of Psychology revoked psychologist Jon Stanley Bunce’s license for multiple departures from the standard of care involving one patient.  The Board’s documents state that between July 30, 2003 and March 16, 2006, Bunce provided therapy to a 50-year-old married female patient with a history of alcohol-related sexual behavior (engaging in sexual encounters with strangers when intoxicated), multiple drunk driving convictions, resulting in the loss of her driver’s license, chronic marital problems and suicidal gestures.  The documents further describe Bunce’s involvement with the patient outside of the therapeutic relationship, including attending meetings of mental health support groups; acting as the patient’s mentor in her involvement in starting mental health support groups; serving together on the boards of mental health support groups; attending support group conferences together out of town; dining together during their out-of-town conference-going and giving the patient a Valentine’s Day card.

(Decision and Order in the Matter of the Accusation Against Jon Stanley Bunce, License No. PSY-10265, Case No. 1F 2006 179349, Board of Psychology, Department of Consumer Affairs, State of California, August 24, 2009.)