Australian Psychologist Sheridan Meulblok (aka Sheridan Buscombe) Banned for Two Years for Intimate Relationship with Patient

May 26, 2020

A psychologist who had an inappropriate relationship with a patient and put her hands on him as part of an "energy healing treatment" has been barred from registering as a health practitioner for two years.

In a hearing brought to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) by the Psychology Board of Australia, Sheridan Leanda Meulblok, also known as Sheridan Buscombe, was found to have engaged in "a personal and intimate relationship" with a patient known as Mr. XY.

Ms. Meulblok began treating Mr. XY for excessive alcohol consumption, depression, anxiety and stress in October 2016.

In August the following year, Ms. Meulblok's emails and texts to her patient became "increasingly personal and affectionate,” and included heart emojis, referred to Mr. XY as "beautiful man,” and featured an "x" as a sign-off.

Around this time, the then-psychologist began talking about herself in the treatment sessions.

She also introduced "energy medicine treatment,” which involved her touching her patient's shoulder, back, chest and jaw as a way to "release the trauma and relieve the pain.”

VCAT's findings stated that Ms. Meulblok knew "there was no evidence base (or) clinical justification" for making physical contact, and that she "knew that the physical contact increased the likelihood of sexualisation of the therapeutic relationship.”

'An intense attraction'

In October 2017, Ms. Meulblok and Mr. XY coincidentally had drinks at the same place in separate groups of friends, but Ms. Meulblok invited her then-patient to drink with her, later confessing to him "she had an intense attraction to him,” VCAT found.

Sheridan Meulblok, also known as Sheridan Buscombe, has been banned from working as a psychologist for two years.

Over the next month they met at Mr. XY's home and in Ms. Meulblok's consulting room, where they kissed. Ms. Meulblok told Mr. XY that while she "considered the therapeutic relationship to be over" they could not have sex "for two years.”

In November 2017, Mr. XY emailed Ms. Meulblok seeking to end the relationship, and to reconnect with his partner.

He also blocked her phone number, however Ms. Meulblok continued to email him, "expressing an interest in continuing a relationship ... and encouraging him to develop a relationship with her husband.”

VCAT found that Ms. Meulblok's conduct "was seriously damaging to [Mr. XY], who considered the relevant period to be one of the most difficult and destabilising periods of his adult life, to the extent that when he sees or hears about Ms. Meulblok at times it makes him feel physically unwell.”

The tribunal's findings included that Ms. Meulblok breached her duties as a psychologist by engaging in a personal and intimate relationship with a patient, touching a patient, and using a treatment that was not evidence-based.

Mr. XY made his complaint to the Psychology Board of Australia in March 2018.

VCAT heard that upon being made aware of the complaint "Ms. Meulblok took full responsibility for her conduct (and) expressed shame and regret for the damage it has caused to Mr. XY, her family and her profession.”

In her 18-year career as a psychologist, Ms. Meulblok had no prior disciplinary history and "had a local reputation as a well-regarded psychologist with notable success in treating eating disorders.”

Ms. Meulblok currently operates as a life coach and mentor under the name Sheridan Buscombe, and it is unclear if VCAT's orders will prohibit her from continuing that line of work.

Source: “Victorian psychologist banned over intimate relationship and 'energy healing treatment',” ABC South West Vic, May 24, 2020. URL: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-24/psychologist-sheridan-meulblok-psychology-board-of-australia/12280726