Psychology board puts Robert E. Brizendine on probation over meth use

May 4, 2012

On March 17, 2012, the California Board of Psychology revoked the license of Robert E. Brizendine, Ph.D. but stayed the revocation and placed him on probation for five years with terms and conditions.

According to the Board’s documents, Brizendine, who is listed as the President of the San Diego Neuropsychological Society, began using methamphetamine in approximately 2003 and was arrested in that year for operating a motor vehicle under the influence of the drug.

Brizendine’s current available curriculum vitae shows him to be in independent practice in which he provides forensic and psychological evaluation, consultation and treatment as well as expert witness testimony. He is also noted as being a clinical and research consultant in the chronic pain clinic of the U.S. Navy’s Naval Regional Medical Center in San Diego.
 
In a February 2010 interview with a district attorney’s investigator, he admitted to continued methamphetamine use under the following circumstances: In early 2009, Brizendine was receiving a lap dance at a strip club at which time the time the dancer provided him with contact information for a woman who could sell him illegal drugs. Shortly thereafter, he purchased $50 worth of methamphetamine from the woman.

At a later date around the same time, the woman came to his house with a male drug dealer who sold Brizendine drugs. This drug dealer subsequently took a photo of Brizendine smoking meth and used the photo to blackmail him for $8,000.

Brizendine allowed the woman and the dealer to access his place of business and his office. The dealer stole his laptop computer containing patient reports and work-related software and extorted $400 for its return. Two weeks later, the computer was stolen again but never returned. The dealer, at a later date, also stole Brizendine’s Porsche automobile.

The Board's document states that Brizendine "admits to the complete truth and accuracy of each and every charge and allegation in the First Cause for Discipline" listed in the Board's initial Accusation against him ("Use of a Controlled Substance or Dangerous Drug to an Extent or in a Manner Dangerous to Himself or to Another Person or the Public).

The Board also noted that he was subject to discipline due to the fact that Brizendine continued to work despite personal problems which may have impaired his ability and harmed clients. In particular, in legal cases in which he provided forensic opinions and reports, the verdicts could be subject to reconsideration or appeal any time the losing party came to learn he provided legal opinions while addicted to methamphetamine.

Terms of probation include reimbursement of $15,000 to the Board for its costs of investigation and enforcement.