Board Suspends Wisconsin Psychologist Laura Ligouri for Sexual Relationship with Patient
October 14, 2024
On June 26, 2024, the Wisconsin Psychology Examining Board suspended the license of your colleague, Brookfield psychologist Laura Liguori, for one year for unprofessional conduct.
The Board found that Liguori engaged in sexual contact, sexual conduct, kissing, or any other behavior which could reasonably be construed as seductive, romantic, harassing, or exploitative with a former client within two years of termination of professional services.
Liguori also committed unprofessional conduct when she failed to avoid prohibited dual relationships. Additionally, she failed to respond honestly and in a timely manner to the Board's request for information.
Background: Liguori provided couples therapy to Patient RH (male husband) and Patient SH (female wife) from August 18, 2006, through January 28, 2011. Liguori referred SH to another therapist on January 28, 2011, but continued providing individual therapy to RH from April 8, 2011 through May 6, 2016.
Within two years after the individual therapy with RH was terminated, Liguori engaged in a sexual relationship with RH. This relationship began no later than March 17, 2018.
SH and RH divorced on November 26, 2016.
SH discovered Liguori’s inappropriate sexual relationship with RH in 2018. SH’s daughter’s phone (which was on the same service plan as RH) received sexually explicit text messages between Liguori and RH, as well as nude pictures from Liguori to RH.
On April 9, 2018, SH confronted Liguori at her office about Liguori’s sexual relationship with RH. Liguori did not deny the sexual relationship with RH, admitted mistakes she made regarding RH, and asked SH, “…will you let me know if you contact anybody, ethically?”
In subsequent text message communication with SH on May 3, 2018, Liguori denied the inappropriate sexual relationship with RH and accused SH of extortion and blackmail. In January 2020, SH began therapy again because of emotional trauma related to Liguori’s conduct.
On October 25, 2021, Liguori provided a written response to the Department denying the allegations of intimate relations with RH and represented to the Department that the wife was seeking revenge against her ex-husband for divorcing her. Liguori’s October 25, 2021, written response was false.
On September 20, 2023, Liguori admitted to the Department that she engaged in an inappropriate relationship with RH.
Source: Final Decision and Order in the Matter of Disciplinar Proceedings Against Laura C. Ligouri, Case No. 21 PSY 017, Order 0020122, State of Wisconsin Psychology Examining Board, June 26, 2024.
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