On April 20, 2012 cult specialist Steve Hassan was officially notified by the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals in Massachusetts that he was facing an official complaint filed by a former client against him. The board advised Hassan in an Order to Show Cause, that he might have his license as a mental health professional revoked or suspended.
The Massachusetts licensing board decided to forward the complaint for prosecution (In the matter of Steven A. Hassan Docket No. MH-12-014).
In June 2011 Hassan was served with three subpoenas and he retained an attorney to respond to those subpoenas. Hassan's attorney then wrote a letter to the individual that served him that, which contained the names of two former clients. Subsequently Hassan posted the letter publicly at his website "Freedom of Mind" and also used both Facebook and Twitter to further share the contents of the letter.
According to Hassan's licensing board he violated ethical provisions of both the American Mental Health Counselors Association and the American Counseling Association (ACA). Specifically regarding "client confidentiality" and the expectation that "no information will be released without the client's permission and written consent."
Hassan's licensing board also cited an ACA ethical code violation of "failing to respect the dignity and promote the welfare of clients."
The Massachusetts licensing board concluded that Hassan's conduct constituted "unprofessional conduct and conduct that undermines public confidence in the integrity of the profession."
Attorney Jessica Uhing-Luedde was the prosecuting counsel for the Division of Professional Licensue. And a court proceedings later took place in Boston, Massachusetts.
Ultimately the charges against Hassan were dismissed without prejudice, which means the dismissal was not absolutely final and that the matter may be revisited.
