Mental health counselor suspended five years for sex with with client

August 1, 2013

Federal Way (Washington) counselor Scott Hale had his credentials suspended for five years by state health officials earlier this week, after the Department of Health (DOH) indicated Hale "admitted having sex with a client on three occasions."

According to the DOH, Hale was counseling the client for the effects of childhood sexual abuse and other mental health conditions. Hale cannot seek reinstatement for at least five years, and he will have to meet "requirements designed to protect the public before being reinstated."

Hale's issues came to light in February, when it was alleged that he had sex with a patient at a Burien mental health clinic at which Hale worked.

Source: "Federal Way counselor suspended for having sex with client," Federal Way Mirror, July 11, 2013.