A psychologist comes to be expunged for five years

Hugo Duchaine

Monday, 5 February 2018 23:15

UPDATE
Monday, 5 February 2018 23:15

Look at this article

A psychologist who has acknowledged having had a romantic relationship of six months with a patient has recently been disbarred for five years, even if it argued that 12 months would be enough deterrent.

The psychologist Eric Paquette was the first last June to cope with the changes in the Code of professions by the government. It requires now a write-off of at least five years for an offence that is sexual, except if the disciplinary Board determines that a lesser number is justified.

The hearing professional had been postponed to give the parties time to take notice of any changes. If he has not attempted to change his plea of guilty, contrary to his colleague Richard Lachance, Éric Paquette has, however, tried to get a lower sentence.

The latter claimed a write-off of 12 months, the same as the trustee of the College of psychologists had the intention to ask before the amendments to the act.

Protect the public

But the disciplinary Board has seen otherwise, being of the opinion that the changes were intended to protect the public and should be taken into account immediately. He said that a psychologist and his client have a close relationship and a relationship of authority.

“When the psychologist is out of the scope of therapy to develop feelings of love and have sexual relations with his client, he is abusing this power,” wrote the Council in its decision.

It is the result of an exchange of emails revealing their mutual attraction that Eric Paquette and his patient, whose identity is protected, have begun a love affair.

In the cabinet

They were then both in couple with other partners and had agreed to have intimate encounters in the cabinet of Mr. Paquette, as to not ” arouse suspicion in their partner’s respective “.

Several attempts at breaks were made throughout their relationship, until the patient begins therapy with a psychologist. She then put an end to their liaison, and this is his new psychologist who has made a request for investigation.

“The Board is of the opinion that this sanction is just and reasonable and will ensure the protection of the public at a time when society no longer accepts the unacceptable “, one can read in the judgment.