An investigation has found a counsellor who rented a room to a female patient in his own home and then documented otherwise, "exploited" her vulnerabilities for his financial gain.
A report released by the Health and Disability Commissioner on April 10 found the counsellor breached the woman's rights for failing to maintain professional boundaries with a patient in his care.
Despite the living situation with the woman, he documented she was moving away, no further counselling sessions were required and requested her file be closed.
Commissioner Kevin Allan said in his decision the counsellor "knowingly recorded false information" to cover up his breach of the ethical standards and to keep accurate records.
The report stated the counsellor did not inform the support agency of his living arrangement or seek supervision or guidance from a colleague about his professional obligations.
Allan said the counsellor's offer of accommodation was inappropriate and he "abused his position of trust and "exploited her vulnerabilities."
"By failing to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and keep accurate records, and knowingly to record false information, the counsellor did not provide the woman with a safe and supportive service, and failed to comply with the relevant ethical and professional standards," Allan said.
The report found the woman initially attended a presentation offering information about the services provided by a support agency.
She was then contacted by the counsellor in 2018 after she left her contact details with him, they then agreed to meet to discuss what she believed would be a counselling support appointment.
The counsellor offered the woman a room to rent in his own home after she expressed difficulty finding housing and claimed she was almost homeless, she stated in the decision.
He told her if she accepted the offer, she would receive no further counselling sessions with him.
She agreed but claimed the counsellor told her he would need to "burn records because he could get into a lot of trouble for helping", the decision stated.
He also told her he was "struggling too" and he was unable to afford the rent at his house himself and that he really needed someone.
The counsellor told the HDC he took pity on the woman as he was "extremely anxious" that she may become homeless.
The counsellor claimed he offered support like this to members in a non-professional capacity.
"I simply said I would have to discharge her as my client," he told the HDC.
The commissioner suggested the counsellor go through training on the Drug and Alcohol Practitioners’ Association Aotearoa-New Zealand’s (DAPAANZ) Code of Ethics.
The commissioner was critical the support agency did not maintain adequate records to keep track of which employees were members of a professional body.
Allan recommended the agency conduct an audit of its staff registrations with professional bodies to confirm that its records are accurate and complete, and undertake any remedial actions required.
The counsellor's competence was reviewed and he has since written an apology to the woman.
The support agency apologised to the woman for any distress caused.
