Psychology Board Seeks to Reprimand Stephen J. Pethick for Lying

February 14, 2019

On January 15, 2019 the Oregon Board of Psychology issued a Notice of Proposed Disciplinary Action (“Notice”) against psychologist Stephen J. Pethick, Ph.D. of Eugene.

The Notice states that the Board proposes to issue a reprimand against Dr. Pethick for unprofessional conduct and violation of ethical standards regarding Avoiding Harm, Cooperating with Other Professionals, and Accuracy in Reports to Payors and Funding Sources.

The Notice provides the specifics: In August 2017, Dr. Pethick conducted a psychological assessment of a patient who was referred to him by a physician. Dr. Pethick’s written report of the evaluation stated that he administered several assessment instruments to the patient, including the Connor’s Adult ADHD Rating Scales and the Barkley’s Childhood Symptoms Scales. He also reported that he’d spoken with the patient’s current psychotherapist via telephone.

However, the Board found that none of these statements was true; he did not in fact administer the assessment instruments nor did he speak with the patient’s psychotherapist.

Pethick is a member of the Lane County Psychologists’ Association. Source: Notice of Proposed Disciplinary Action in the Matter of Stephen J. Pethick, Ph.D., License #1569, Oregon Board of Psychology, Agency No. OBPE #2017-063, January 15, 2019.