Sandwich psychologist suspended

The Times (Ottawa, Illinois)
08/04/2009

By Dan Churney, danc@mywebtimes.com, 815-431-4050

For getting involved with a female patient, a Sandwich psychologist
recently lost his license to practice for a month.

The Illinois Department of Professional Regulation suspended William
A. Hovsepian’s license July 17 for having had an "improper personal
relationship with a female patient." The suspension is to end Sunday,
Aug. 16. The state announced the suspension last week.

Hovsepian’s license is also to be on probation for at least two
years. During the probation, Hovsepian is to not see or treat female
patients without the presence of another patient, caregiver, spouse or
parent. Hovsepian also is to undergo psychotherapy, meet twice per
month with a clinical psychologist and attend a semester-long
graduate-level course in ethics with an emphasis on "boundary issues."

Hovsepian also has an office in Elmhurst. The state fined and
reprimanded Hovsepian in 1998 for failing to properly establish and
maintain patient records. He was first licensed to practice in
Illinois in 1981.

The receptionist at Hovsepian’s Elmhurst office told The Times Monday
morning Hovsepian was out of the office for the next two weeks, but
she would try to contact him to call The Times. As of Tuesday night,
Hovsepian had not called.

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