Therapy Never Includes Sexual Behavior

Watch for warning signs, get assistance, and file a complaint if you have concerns Consumers: Professional therapy never includes sexual contact between a therapist and a client. UNETHICAL, ILLEGAL, AND HARMFUL Sexual contact of any kind between a therapist and a client is unethical and illegal in California. In addition,…

California Board of Psychology Seeks to Revoke or Suspend License of Psychological Associate for Sexual Misconduct

Temecula Psychological Associate Accused Of Sexual Abuse, Gross Negligence Of Patient SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Board of Psychology (Board) has filed an accusation seeking to revoke or suspend the license of Vincent Shanks, Ph.D. #94020884, of Temecula, for allegedly engaging in sexual exploitation with a patient, sexual misconduct, gross…

Department of Health Care Access and Information Workforce Survey for Healing Arts Board Licensees

The Department of Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) has partnered with the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and its healing arts boards to collect important health workforce data. The workforce survey will be available for licensees to complete during the electronic licensure renewal process. Licensed health care professionals are…

Board of Psychology Seeks to Revoke or Suspend License of Psychologist for Sexualizing Therapy

Los Angeles Psychologist Accused of Gross Negligence, Unprofessional Conduct with Patient SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The California Board of Psychology (Board) has filed an accusation seeking to revoke or suspend the license of Eric. R. Bergemann, Ph.D. #23775, of Los Angeles for allegedly sexualizing therapy, expressing feelings of sexual attraction toward…

Make Your New Year’s Resolutions with DCA

Happy New Year from the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA)! If you rang in 2021 with a New Year’s resolution, we hope you’re sticking to it. But if you need a little inspiration, here are five resolutions DCA and its licensees can help you with: See a doctor regularly.…

Survey: Most Older Americans Avoid Help for Depression

Assistance is available from licensed mental health professionals A new nationwide poll found that nearly two-thirds of Americans 65 and older who have concerns about depression will not seek treatment, and nearly one in three respondents who are concerned they may be suffering from depression believe they can “snap out…

‘Awe Walks’ Increase Emotional Well-Being

Study: Engaging with surroundings while out and about makes a positive difference A just-published study by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), finds that engaging with surroundings while on walks, instead of focusing on thoughts, made a positive difference in study participants’ well-being. As outlined in the journal Emotion,…

Study Finds Anxiety on the Rise in Age of Pandemic

Contact a licensed mental health professional for assistance Feeling anxious or depressed these days? You are far from alone, according to a new study from San Diego State and Florida State universities. As published in the journal Depression & Anxiety, researchers compared nationally representative samples of U.S. adults from the…

May Is Mental Health Awareness Month

The Coronavirus pandemic has drastically altered our lives. The uncertainty of these challenging times can cause stress, fear, anger, isolation, and ultimately impact our overall health and well-being. For people who already suffer from anxiety, depression and other mental disorders,  these emotions can become even more pronounced during a crisis…

Embracing Technology to Help During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) today issued new waivers for health care students and professionals to enable them to help provide care during the COVID-19 pandemic. The new waivers allow supervision, physician examinations, and training requirements for specific license types to be conducted via appropriate electronic means. Previously, such…