BRUNSWICK, Maine — A Brunswick psychiatrist has been reprimanded by a state licensing board for unprofessional conduct toward a female patient.
In a May 25 consent agreement, Charles M. Stewart acknowledged that he told a patient he loved her in a manner she could misinterpret, massaged her back during a spasm, hugged her, and gave her money for gas and her cellphone bill.
The Maine Board of Licensure in Medicine received a complaint from the patient in December 2010 saying she felt humiliated and betrayed by Stewart’s actions. He had been her psychiatrist for 18 years.
The patient, who was not named in the consent agreement, said she felt Stewart’s actions were sexually inappropriate. She said he also asked to see her mastectomy scar.
Stewart denied any erotic intent in his behavior, but acknowledged crossing professional boundaries, according to a neuropsychiatric evaluation report referenced in the agreement.
Stewart’s license was placed on five years probation and he was ordered by the board not to treat new female patients until completing a course in medical ethics and boundaries.
Stewart also must make audio recordings of all treatment sessions involving female patients for review by an outside monitor who has full access to his practice. He additionally agreed to undergo mental health counseling.
By signing the consent agreement, Stewart conceded that the board had enough evidence to conclude that he engaged in unprofessional conduct.
Stewart, who was licensed in Maine in 1988, agreed to reimburse the board $1,501.90 for the cost of the investigation.
I’d be offended, too, if I had been given money for gas and cell phone expenses . . .
They should have recommended he see a psychiatrist too.
Evidently he conceded that he needs to and will…”He additionally agreed to undergo mental health counseling.”
I’m sure, I know from experience that he’s not the only Brunswick The Rapist that is acting inappropriately.
To record his sessions with females would be an extreme breach of confidentiality. I think the board needs to take another look at that!
I don’t think that he’ll have much of a practice left after this bad press. He might obtain employment at a prison where the patients can’t get away.
It boggles my mind how discriminating Dir Anne Head and the Maine OLR are when disciplining these abusive therapists. And Gov LePage is their boss and only cares about HIS own domestic violence – not what is happening to other victims in the therapy world. Why is someone in therapy for 18 years first off?! He obviously wasn’t doing any progressive work. And they gave him a mere slap on the hand, which is what the Maine OLR does for the most part. They do not truly investigate even when there is proof, names, witnesses. They are a selective group that needs to be held accountable for adding to the abuse that is going on. Allowing therapists to get away with damaging so many people. But heh, they are taking home a paycheck, which is more important to them than helping just one person (client) who comes to THEM for help when they have been abused by a professional. Shame on Anne Head and the rest of the Maine OLR!!!!!! It is TIME to investigate this regulatory organization. Come on Gov LePage, do your job – you’re their boss.
Dr. Stewart is a psychiatrist (an MD). He may do some psychotherapy during sessions, but first and foremost he provides medication management. Some people have chronic brain disorders (e.g., bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, recurrent episodes of depression) that do go on for decades, and need to keep being treated over the long haul.
It’s rare, I think, to find one medication (or one specific medication dosage) that works forever. People get older (and metabolize medication differently), they gain or lose weight, they have new life stressors that make their symptoms worse for a while, or perhaps a far less stressful time during which the dosage could be lowered. Thus, they need to be monitored periodically.
Thats what happens when no outside entity conducts a review. This is also known as,”The Good Old Boy Network” As a mental health professional I cannot respect any body that would allow him to interact with female patients again. Attend “classes” on ethics? He would have to attend such classes ongoing anyway as a normal practice in order to remain licensed. I’m calling BS.
You go, guy.
Doctor please don’t touch me there it tickles. 18 years of getting to know one another ah…sort of in a personal way. What a slap in the face…now the doctor has no where to hang is ah…..ah….hat? He should have known this was going to happen on the first visit. Who is Mentally ill here the Doctor or the patient? This has all the makings of a series ” Shrinks gone wild”.