Indiana mental health counselor Heather Richardson loses license for sex with client

April 13, 2011

On December 17, 2010, the Indiana Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board suspended indefinitely mental health counseling Heather L. Richardson for no less than two years for having engaged in a sexual relationship with a client.

According to the Board’s Order, in May 2009, Richardson, who then worked at the Center for Mental Health (“the Center”), disclosed to a co-worker that she was involved in a sexual relationship with one of her clients.

Her supervisor and human resources director at the Center were made aware of this and she admitted the same to them.

She was advised to not see or contact the client in the future because her behavior could be therapeutically damaging to the client.  She agreed that this would be better for the client.

She was then discharged from her employment at the Center.

Center employees contacted the client, who confirmed the sexual relationship and also his intention to continue seeing Richardson.

The document states that Richardson is currently engaged to be married to the client.

Source: Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order, in the Matter of the License of Heather L. Richardson, M.H.C., License No. 39001802A, Before the Behavioral Health and Human Services Licensing Board, Cause Number 2010 BHSB 013.