DANA POINT : Psychologist Placed on Probation for Negligence in Treating Patients

A Dana Point psychologist was placed on probation Monday by the state’s Department of Consumer Affairs Board of Psychologists for negligent patient treatment and allowing an unlicensed assistant to counsel patients.

Thomas Brady, 56, admitted to failing to supervise adequately his psychological assistant, Brad McCaul of Corona del Mar, who continually canceled patients’ appointments and practiced psychology without being properly registered, said Tom O’Connor, executive officer of theboard.

“When supervisors fail to responsibly oversee assistants, they place patients at risk,” O’Connor said.

In documents filed with the board, McCaul was accused of canceling or failing to show up for at least half of the 71 appointments he had set with one patient.

McCaul also was accused of dismissing a patient’s confession to incest, failing to protect client confidentiality and fraudulently billing an insurance company for 97 appointments when he actually met with patients only 12 times.

The complaint also indicated that Brady permitted McCaul to continue to treat patients after McCaul’s license had expired.

Brady’s license will be suspended for two years, O’Connor said. While on probation, Brady will be required to pass an ethics course and reimburse the board $2,000 for investigation and enforcement costs.

McCaul is on five years’ probation, during which he must have a practice monitor, complete 20 hours of course work annually and reimburse the board $5,000. He also must pass psychological board evaluations before he is granted a probationary license to practice psychology.