Therapist Hired by Diocese Loses License

SNAP
August 18, 2014

http://www.snapnetwork.org/oh_therapist_hired_by_diocese_loses_license

Therapist hired by diocese loses license

He counseled several clergy sex abuse victims

And he was used to evaluate prospective clerics

Board found “{he} acted inappropriately with a client”

SNAP says his recommendations are now “questionable”

Group wants bishop to let victims choose their own therapist

A psychologist who worked for the Youngstown diocese in two roles has lost his license for having an inappropriate and non-professional relationship with an adult client.

Psychologist D. Terence Heltzel, in a four page “consent agreement” with the State Board of Psychology, admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with one of his female clients.

According to the consent decree “The Board received a complaint from an adult female alleging that Dr. Heltzel acted inappropriately towards her during her during her final therapy session.”

“The Board and Dr. Heltzel agree that (he) established a professional psychological psychotherapy relationship with (this client) when (she) sought help following the deaths of two family members (and) entered into a non-professional relationship with (her),” the decree says.

“This psychologist dealt with possible victims and possible predators but is guilty of misconduct himself,” said David Clohessy, director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests. “Now, already wounded victims have been hurt again because of the very poor choice by Youngstown Catholic officials to hire Heltzel.”

“We suspect that Heltzel has tested and evaluated dozens of prospective Youngstown area priests, seminarians and deacons and maybe lay employees over years and years,” said Judy Jones of SNAP. “Now his judgments about those church staff – and their suitability for employment – are in serious doubt.”

“And from the victims' perspective, imagine the pain they feel when they bare their souls to a church-recommended and church-paid therapist, only to find out that he too engages in predatory behavior,” said Jones.

“Bishop Murry should reach out to anyone who was directed to Heltzel and encourage them to speak up if they were hurt,” said Clohessy. “It's inherently hurtful – and illegal – for mental health professionals to abuse their authority and power to sexually exploit clients.”

SNAP also noted that Bishop Murray has not responded to their letter requesting that he hold an open public meeting to discuss child molesting clerics in the diocese, including Deacon Ernest Formichelli who was exposed last week as an allege abuser. It was sent a week ago.

Heltzel was represented by Glennon Karr, a lawyer in Columbus (gkarr@karrlaw.com, 614-848-3100 ). Two others signed the consent decree are Assistant Attorney General Roger F. Carroll ( roger.carroll@ohioattorneygeneral.gov, 614-466-8600) and board member Dr. Suzanne Lesure (330- 722-4166).