Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Psychologist Rebuts Patient’s Rape Claim

A local psychologist standing trial on charges that he raped a female patient rebutted the woman’s story during court testimony Monday.

Charles A. Catanese denied assaulting the 38-year-old woman. He also denied that he lured her to his remote home by promising to treat her stress and depression with a Christian-based homeopathic therapy.

“I don’t proselytize,” Catanese testified.

The woman said in court last week that she was drawn to Catanese because he promised to help her alleviate stress with an “unconventional therapy” involving Bible reading and natural medicine. She met Catanese after being referred to him for evaluation in a job-related stress claim.

Catanese, 42, denied discussing religion with the woman, but he admitted to having a Bible on his coffee table and an interest in homeopathic medicine.

He testified that he keeps a “home medicine kit” containing “vitamins, herbs and homeopathic remedies” in a metal box in his kitchen.

While Catanese admitted that he called the woman hoping to develop a friendship, he testified that she showed up uninvited at his home on Dec. 30, 1991--three days before the alleged rape.

“I said with surprise, ‘How did you find my place?’ She said, with a big smile, ‘I have my ways,’ ” Catanese testified.

The woman testified last week that the psychologist had invited her to his “home office” so they could discuss the Bible and her ongoing treatment plan.

Catanese disputed that contention, saying they had only discussed getting together for lunch.

The woman charges that she was raped on the night of Jan. 2, 1992, after being invited to Catanese’s house. From the witness stand Monday, Catanese said he did not even see her on that day.

To support this claim, defense attorney Russell Iungerich used records indicating that a phone call was made from Catanese’s house to the woman’s Palmdale residence during the time she said she was at his home on the night of the alleged rape.

Catanese is free on his own recognizance.