Woman charged with impersonating psychologist (but patients couldn't tell the difference!)

November 16, 2011

A former Atlantic Beach (New York) resident was arrested in Westbury yesterday after falsely claiming to be a psychologist between 2008 and 2010.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said Amora Rachelle, known professionally as Dr. Amora, allegedly treated patients in her home despite not having a license to do so. In one documented case, Amora allegedly received more than $3,400 from Geico for providing mental health services to a car accident victim.

In addition, Rachelle allegedly lied to the New York state courts in February 2009 while unsuccessfully applying for a position on a panel of court-appointed psychologists. At the time Rachelle only had a limited permit, meaning she could only practice under the supervision of a licensed psychologist, Rice said.

She was allegedly denied a full license in December 2009 by the New York State Department of Education’s Office of the Professions. Rice said she continued to see patients out of her home despite being denied her license.

The case against Rachelle originated in the New York State Education Department, which noticed unusual activity while reviewing her application for a license as a psychologist.

Rice said Rachelle bilked clients out of more than $8,000. She is currently facing several felony charges, including grand larceny, falsifying business records, scheming to defraud, offering a false instrument for filing and unauthorized practice. If convicted, she faces up to seven years in prison. Rachelle is due back in court on Friday.

Source: John Callegari, "LI woman charged with impersonating a psychologist," Long Island Business News, November 16, 2011.