Issaquah Psychologist Suspended Over Patient Boundary Violations and Drug Misconduct

Washington’s Examining Board of Psychology has suspended Issaquah psychologist Leafar Espinoza’s license after finding unprofessional conduct involving physical contact with patients, personal gifts and instructions for taking an unprescribed controlled medication.

An agreed order signed by the board in September bars Espinoza from seeking reinstatement for at least two years from the order’s effective date.

Before petitioning to return to practice, he must pay a $5,000 fine and complete ethics training and additional continuing education. Reinstatement is not automatic.

The findings concern two patients Espinoza treated while working at The Center for Child Development in Issaquah.

According to the agreed findings, Espinoza rubbed one patient’s shoulder and back during a therapy session, causing the patient to end the therapeutic relationship.

He also purchased gifts and sent personal text messages, including a message saying he had dreamed about the patient.

The board also found that Espinoza provided massage to the second patient, purchased gifts and repeatedly sent text messages after 9 p.m. That patient reported that Espinoza had asked the patient to massage him, according to the order.

The board found that Espinoza gave the second patient instructions for taking Vyvanse, which the order described as an unprescribed controlled medication.

The patient reported receiving the medication from Espinoza. The order also says he reportedly stressed the importance of keeping the information private.

The board concluded that Espinoza committed unprofessional conduct. In determining sanctions, it cited the patient’s age, capacity and vulnerability; abuse of trust; injury caused by the misconduct; a pattern or presence of other violations; and illegal conduct. It listed no mitigating factors.

Espinoza, who was represented by an attorney, agreed to resolve the disciplinary case without a hearing.

Under the agreement, he and the board acknowledged that the board would have sufficient evidence to prevail on the allegations at a hearing.

The agreement specifies that the stipulations are not admissions for purposes of other proceedings.

Before seeking reinstatement, Espinoza must complete 12 hours of board-approved continuing education covering appropriate physical contact with minor patients, harm reduction for adolescents, boundaries in therapy and proper recordkeeping.

He must also obtain an unconditional pass in the Professional/Problem Based Ethics Course within the 90 days before petitioning for reinstatement.

If his license is reinstated, the order requires at least three years of probation. A board-approved professional must supervise his practice and monitor treatment records for all minor patients, including communications between sessions.

Espinoza would also have to permit unannounced Department of Health audits of patient records up to four times a year during probation. Those audits must include records involving minor patients and their email and text-message exchanges.