Idaho counselors' and therapists' licenses revoked, disciplined

August 11, 2012

The Idaho State Board of Professional Counselors and Marriage & Family Therapists recently issued the following disciplinary action documents:

On December 31, 2011, the Board revoked the license of professional counselor Millicent Smith. According to the Board’s Order, during the period of 2005 to 2009, Smith entered into a sexual/romantic relationship with a client, then immediately terminated their professional relationship but continued the romantic relationship until it ended in 2009; engaged in a bartering relationship with another client in which the client provided personal services in Smith’s home in exchange for therapy services, then developed a personal relationship with this client during which Smith sexually touched the client on one occasion in 2008; told a third client in late 2005 that she might need to refer him to another provider because she was attracted to him, while knowing that the client was dealing with the recent ending of a long-term romantic relationship with another person.

On February 7, 2012, the Board placed licensed marriage & family therapist Rodney Limb on practice supervision, among other stipulations. The Board’s Order states that from Fall 2008 to November 2009, Limb periodically counseled a client with whom he briefly entered into a dual personal relationship.

On February 7, 2012, the Board ordered licensed professional counselor Rosalie Johnston to complete a graduate level course in high-conflict divorce and recordkeeping, among other requirements. The Board alleged that in 2008, Johnston failed to follow a court order to aide in the reunification of a father and daughter and failed to turn over the client’s file to a new therapist in a timely manner. Though Johnston denied the Board’s allegations, she nonetheless entered into a stipulated consent order on the matter. In addition to the aforementioned order to complete graduate-level coursework, Johnston must also reimburse the Board its investigative costs and attorney fees of $2,794.

On February 7, 2012, the Board reprimanded licensed professional counselor Talmage Delange. The Board’s document states that on or about July 2003 through September 2009, Delange entered into counseling relationships with multiple family members of an extended family. On or about September 27, 2008, Delange submitted an affidavit to the court which could be interpreted to be a child custody evaluation, which Delange is not trained to render (i.e., it is practicing beyond the scope of his competence and education). The affidavit was biased and omitted relevant information. Delange must also reimburse the Board its investigative costs and attorney fees of $2,880, among other terms of the Board’s order.

On May 1, 2012, the Board reprimanded counselor Robert Stahn and placed terms and restrictions on his practice. The Board’s document states that in 2010, Stahn prepared and disseminated a brochure advertising his practice which contained the false representation of a 100% success rate for treating post-traumatic stress syndrome and also used client testimonials without client consent. Stahn also must complete additional continuing education in the area of ethics and reimburse the Board $1,220 for its investigation costs and attorney fees.