Oregon psychologist James Johnson disciplined immoral/unprofessional conduct

November 27, 2013

On August 18, 2013, the Oregon board of Psychologist Examiners issued a stipulated order on psychologist James Johnson, subjecting him to practice supervision with a licensed, board-approved psychologist for a minimum of one year. According to the Board’s document, Johnson committed immoral or unprofessional conduct and exceeded the boundaries of his competence with a female patient who had come to him not for treatment but seeking a disability accommodation due to a spinal injury and other conditions. During the course of their first meeting, Johnson remarked to the client “Well, let me say I’m attracted to you, and could probably love you, just to get that out of the way” and told her that “my first instinct is to rescue you.” He also referred to the client as an “angel.” Further, he told the client imagine a beam of light was her spine and to visualize it as straight and that by having her do this, he was starting the healing process. The client did not return for further meetings.