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  Waukesha Psychologist (and Former Priest) Loses License

By Keegan Kyle
Public Investigator Blog (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
August 19, 2008

http://blogs.jsonline.com/piblog/archive/2008/08/19/waukesha-psychologist-and-former-priest-loses-license.aspx

A Waukesha psychologist borrowed thousands of dollars from his patients and gave at least one advice on where to find a great strip club, according to a state investigation.

Those professional transgressions cost David Mannelli his psychology license last month.

Public Investigator occasionally reports disciplinary actions from the Wisconsin Department of Regulation and Licensing to keep consumers up-to-date on licensed businesses and professionals. (check out an older story about hair salons or our continuing coverage of a high-priced foot doctor.)

Mannelli, a former priest, told patients his family was having financial trouble and he was beginning to lose faith in God, according to the State Psychology Examining Board. One patient lent Mannelli $50,000 and he never paid off the debt. Another patient lent him $17,500 and he started making some payments.

One man with a sexual addiction told the Board that Mannelli said he knew where to find a great strip club. The Board reported the patient saying:

"Any trust I had built up with Dr. Mannelli, any progress I had made, any understanding of the traumas I had endured and inflicted, was completely blown apart. And worse, I was set back months in my therapy."

These accounts of unprofessional conduct convinced the Board on July 17 to revoke Mannelli's license to practice psychology in Wisconsin. He was also fined $2,350 for the investigation's costs.

Mannelli did not return messages seeking comment. He first received his license to practice as a psychologist in 2000 and stopped working at Cornerstone Counseling Services in Waukesha several months ago.

  
 
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