Pharmacy Daily | Psychologist lands ban

A VICTORIAN psychologist who used "energy medicine" to treat a patient's pain, and suggested he develop a relationship with her husband, had been reprimanded and banned from practice for two years.

The patient was referred to Sheridan Leanda Meulblok, by his GP for issues relating to excessive alcohol consumption, depression, anxiety and stress, a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard.

The Tribunal found that between 01 Aug 2017 and 02 Feb 2018, Meulblok had "transgressed the professional boundaries that should and ordinarily do exist between a psychologist and her patient and/or former patient", as she entered an inappropriate personal and intimate relationship with the patient.

Between Aug and Nov 2017 Meulblok provided "treatment that was not evidence based and was not clinically justified" when she touched the patient in areas associated with his physical pain, as part of "energy medicine" therapy.

In mid-Oct 2017 Meulblok told the patient she had feelings for him, a few days later she went to his home, where they embraced and kissed, the Tribunal heard.

At a later appointment during the week starting 21 Oct 2017, in her consulting rooms the psychologist "straddled" the patient and told him that due to professional regulations they would have to wait two years before having sex.

The Tribunal heard that in Nov and Dec 2017 having ceased treating the patient, Meulblok breached patient confidentiality, discussing the prospect of the patient resuming treatment with her, and by encouraging him to pursue a relationship with her husband.