Washington state denies license to counselor for practicing without a license, sex with client

July 14, 2008

On July 14, 2008 the Washington Department of Health denied unlicensed counselor Flenn Chrestman a credential to practice. The Department charged Chrestman in May 2008 with unprofessional conduct and sexual misconduct. According to the Department’s documents, Chrestman had, in or around January 2007 been providing services as “Seattle Retrain Your Brain” and “Seattle Functional Health.” The document states that in February 2007, he developed a personal relationship with a client with whom e-mailed personal notes and went on dates. The document states that between February and May 2007, Mr. Chrestman engaged in sexual contact with the client. Mr. Chrestman was advised of the complaint by a Department investigator. He shut down his office not long after. He may not reapply for a Washington state credential for ten years. ¹