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Judge Suspends License of Redlands Psychologist at Request of State Board

LOS ANGELES — A California Office of Administrative Hearings judge has suspended the psychology license of Redlands psychologist Stephen Jeffrey Smith, Ph.D. on an interim basis while the Board seeks to permanently revoke the license.

The judge granted the interim suspension order effective Tuesday, Dec. 13, determining there was sufficient grounds to believe the psychologist engaged in unprofessional conduct, and that allowing him to continue practicing would threaten the safety and welfare of patients.

In its petition to the judge, the Board alleges that Smith engaged in unprofessional and grossly negligent conduct by entering into multiple improper personal and financial relationships with patients, exploiting them for his own financial gain, while providing substandard care. The patients were especially vulnerable to being victimized because they suffered from mental illness or were dealing with emotional problems, the petition alleges.

The license suspension means that Smith is barred from practicing psychology while the Board files a formal Accusation against him seeking to permanently revoke his license. Smith has the right to request a hearing to contest the interim license suspension and to defend himself against the Board's formal accusation of unprofessional conduct. A hearing on the interim suspension order is scheduled for Jan. 29, 2006, at the California Office of Administrative Hearings regional office in Los Angeles.

Smith was first licensed as a psychologist in 1985. The Board's petition, based on more than a dozen declarations by patients and other individuals, states the alleged professional misconduct occurred in 2004 and 2005.

Consumers can check the status of a psychologist's license or file a complaint by calling the Board of Psychology toll-free at1-866-503-3221 or by visiting the Board's Web site, www.psychboard.ca.gov.

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