MARINA DEL REY : Psychologist Loses License Over Sexual Misconduct

A Marina del Rey man has been forced to surrender his license to practice psychology after admitting to sexual misconduct, according to officials at the state Board of Psychology and the state Department of Consumer Affairs.

William G. West acknowledged to the psychology board that he hypnotized a patient in 1991 and instructed her to masturbate while focusing on sexual fantasies, the state officials said. The admission concerned one of two complaints against West. According to the second, he allegedly ordered another patient to pull down her pants, but West denied the charge, state officials said.

West, licensed to practice psychology since 1978, was already on a five-year probation imposed by the board for submitting false insurance claims and misrepresenting himself as a medical doctor on insurance forms.

West cannot petition for reinstatement for at least two years.