State charges mental health counselor Joseph McCreery with sexual misconduct

May 26, 2010

On April 27, 2010, the Washington Department of Health issued a Statement of Charges on psychiatrist Joseph M. McCreery, alleging sexual misconduct and professional misconduct, based on the following:

From May 10, 2005, through November 17, 2005, McCreery provided psychotherapy to Patient A, to address personal issues in the patient’s life, including boundary issues, issues related to the patient’s husband and daughter and the patient’s grief following the deaths of her mother and a friend. 

McCreery documented on November 17, 2005 that he informed the patient that the physician-patient relationship “ends as of today.” 

Approximately a month later, the former patient contacted McCreery and suggested they meet socially. 

McCreery and the patient met socially in approximately mid-January 2006. 

McCreery began a romantic relationship with the patient in late April 2006 and a sexual relationship with her in mid-October 2006. 

Both McCreery and the patient were married to other individuals.

Source: Statement of Charges In the Matter of the License to Practice as a Physician and Surgeon of Joseph M. McCreery, M.D., License No. MD00021272, Case No. M2008-118416, State of Washington Department of Health Medical Quality Assurance Commission, filed April 27, 2010.