State revokes psychologist Tyler Gould's license for sex with patient

July 11, 2013

On October 15, 2012, the Vermont Board of Psychologist Examiners revoked the license of psychologist Tyler Gould. The Board’s document states that Gould engaged in a sexual relationship with a patient and behaved toward her in a threatening and violent manner.

The client is described in the Board’s documents as “a very fragile person” who was “grieving from a profound personal loss…trying to cope with the aftermath of a prior relationship” when the she first went to Dr. Gould. “From his records, it is clear that Dr. Gould recognized immediately that the client was socially isolated,” the records state.

The Board found that Gould terminated the therapeutic relationship “to pursue his desire for her”; told her that if she revealed their relationship to anyone, he would kill himself. When the patient became ill with a debilitating physical illness, Gould supported her financially and “at some point in the relationship…became intimidating and threatening.” When she attempted to leave him, he grabbed her by the throat and told her he could kill her.

Gould attempted to dissuade the patient from participating in the Board’s proceedings against him.