California counselor's license revoked due to "relationships" with clients

July 7, 2008

On July 7, 2008 the Washington Department of Health issued a Final Order of Default on counselor Michael G. Bennett, permanently revoking his license. The Department’s Findings of Fact states that while employed as a member of a mental health crisis intervention team, he engaged in sexual misconduct and/or boundary violations with a client, including: Opening a joint bank account in order to help the client manage her finances and engaging in sexual and/or romantic contact on multiple occasions. Mr. Bennett engaged in sexual misconduct and/or boundary violations with another client, including: Nightly phone conversations; Engaging in sexual and/or romantic contact on multiple occasions and exchanging hundreds of e-mail messages with romantic and/or sexual content. On June 12, 2008, the Department served Mr. Bennett a Statement of Charges and other documents relative to their case against him. To date, he has failed to respond to the Department’s correspondence. ¹