State issues charges against counselor who told patient he'd marry her

September 22, 2013

On May 24, 2013, the Washington State Department of Health issued a statement of charges against mental health counselor Michael F. Vaughn, alleging that between October 17, 2012 and October 26, 2012, Vaughn communicated frequently with “Client A” by phone, text and email and that on several days in late October 2012, he allowed the client to stay at his home and sleep on his couch. On October 24, he told the client he loved her. On October 25, he told her that they needed to end the therapeutic relationship and not see each other for six month and that after that period, he was going to marry her.