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BEFORETHEAR~ONABOARD
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OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH EXAMINERS
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In the Matter of:
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SUSAN HANNAH, LPC-2288 (active
.,restricted), Licensed Professional
Counselor, and LlSAC-1393 (active
restricted), Licensed Independent
Substance Abuse Counselor,
In the State of Arizona.
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. CASE NO. 2010-01,24
CASE NO. 2012-0086
CONSENT AGREEMENT
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RESPONDENT
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In the interest of a prompt and speedy settlement of the above captioned matters,
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consistent with the public interest, statutory requirements and responsibilities of the Arizon
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State Board of Behavioral Health Examiners ("Board"), and pursuant to A.R.S. §§ 32-3281 (H
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and 41-1092.07(F)(5), Susan Hannah (Formerly Known As Susan Rassas) ("Respondent") an
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the Board enter into this Cons'ent Agreement, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Orde
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("Consent Agreement") as a final disposition of this matter.
RECITALS
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Respondent understands and agrees that:
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Any record prepared in this matter, .all investigative materials prepared
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received by the Board concerning the allegations, and all related materials and exhibits may b
retained in the Board's file pertaining to this matter.
2.
Respondent has the right to a formal administrative hearing at which Responden
can present evidence and cross examim~ the State's witnesses. Respondent hereby irrevocabl
waives her right to such formal hearing Goncerning these allegations and irrevocably waives he
right to any rehearing or judicial review relating to the allegations contained in this Consen
Agreement.
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3.
Respondent has the right to consult with an attorney prior to 'entering into thi
Consent Agreement.
4.
Respondent acknowledges and
agrees that upon signing
this Consen
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Agreement and returning it to the Board's Executive Director, Respondent may not revoke he
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acceptance of this Consent Agreement or make any modifications to it. Any modification of thi
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original document is ineffective and void unless mutually approved by the parties in writing.
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5.
The findings contained in the Findings of Fact portion of this Consent Agreemen
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are conclusive evidence of the facts stated herein and may be used for purposes of determinin
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sanctions in any future disciplinary matter.
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6.
This Consent Agreement is subject to the Board's approval, and will be effectiv
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only when the Board accepts it. In the event the Board in its discretion does not approve thi
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Consent Agreement, this Consent Agreement is withdrawn and shall be of no evidentiary value,
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nor shall it·be relied upon or introduced in any disciplinary action by any party hereto, excep
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that Respondent agrees that should the Board reject this Consent Agreement and this cas
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proceeds to hearing, Respondent shall assert no claim that the Board was prejudiced by it
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review and discussion of this document or of any records relating thereto.
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7.
Respondent understands that once the Board approves and signs this Consen
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Board; and that it shall be reported as required by law to the National Practitioner Data Ban
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and the Healthcare Integrity and Protection Data Bank.
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The Board issues the following Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law and Order:
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FINDINGS OF FACT
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Respondent is the holder of License No. LPC-2288 (active-restricted) for th
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practice of independent substance abUSE~ counseling in Arizona.
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2.
On 01/01/99, the Board received Complaint No. 1999-0002 against Respondent.
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Regarding Complaint No. 1999-0002: 3
a. It was alleged that Respondent signed a tuberculosis form on behalf of he 4
client ("Client 1"). .b. Respondent acknowledged that she signed Client 1's name to the form.
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4.
On 11/12/99, the Board executed a Consent Agreement ("11199 CAl!) to resolv
Complaint No. 1999-0002.
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On 02/02/01, the Board released. Respondent from the terms and conditions
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the 11/99 CA.
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6.
On 02/15/06, the Board received Complaint No. 2006-0083 against Respondent.
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7.
Regarding Complaint No. 2006-0083: 12
a. In 07/04, Respondent was in private practice and began providing services t 13
a client ("Client 2"), who had been recently hospitalized for a suicide attempt. 14
b. Client 2 was diagnosed with Major Depression and Borderline Personalit 15
Disorder.
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c. Respondent treated Client 2 for 1.5 years and provided 57 sessions.
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d. In 02106, Respondent decided to terminate Client 2 by sending Client 2
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termination letter with 3 referral sources without any prior discussions with CHen
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2.
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e. Respondent acknowledged that given Client 2's serious diagnoses, it wa
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reasonable that Client 2 would experience feelings of abandonment.
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f. Concerns regarding Client 2's clinical record included:
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Fail.ure to document any type of behavioral health assessment.
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Failure to conduct ongoing risk assessments or develop any type of crisi
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plan.
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Inadequate consent for treatment.
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Inadequate treatment planning documentation.
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Failure to document consultations with Client 2's psychiatrist or to retur
Client 2's letters to Client 2, as requested:
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Failure to document Client 2's diagnoses.
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g. Failure to disclose a '983 criminal conviction in response to backgroun
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questions on her 2003 renelwal application.
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On 03/09/10, the Board executed a Consent Agreement ("03/10 CA") to resolv
Complaint No. 2006-0083.
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The 03/10 CA included the following stipulations:
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a. 36 months of clinical supervision
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d. Submit the name of the proposed clinical supervisor within 30 days
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c. Take and pass a 3-semester credit hour graduate level course in basi
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counseling skills in the helping relationship.
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10.
Respondent failed to submit the name of the proposed clinical supervisor an
failed to respond to multiple attempts by Board staff to communicate with her.
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On OS/28/10, the Board opened Complaint No. 2010-0124 against Responden
based on non-compliance with the 03/10 CA.
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On 08/09/10, the Board executed a new Consent Agreement ("08/10 CAn) t
resolve Complaint Nos. 2006-0083 and 2.010-0124.
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The stipulations required in the 08/10 CA were the same stipulations required i
the 03/10 CA.
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On 12121/11, the Board received Complaint No. 2012-0086 against Respondent,
which alleged the following.
a. A client ("Client 3") began treatment with Respondent in 05/10.
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b. Client 3 and Respondent began a personal relationship in 07/10 or 08/10.
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c. In 09/10, Client 3 gave Respondent $3,000 to $6,000 so Respondent coul
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pay her bills.
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d. In 09{10, Respondent and Client 3 traveled together to Philadelphia on
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personal trip ..
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e. On 10/29/11, Respondent and Client 3 were married in Pima County.
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Respondent has agreed to voluntarily surrender her licenses in lieu of providing
response or proceeding in further investigation into this matter.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
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1.
The Board has jurisdiction over Respondent pursuant to A,R.S. § 32-3251 et seq.
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and the rules promulgated by the Board relating to Respondent's professional practice as
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licensed behavioral health professional.
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2.
The conduct and circums':ances described in the Findings of Fact constitute
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violation of AR.S. § 32-3251 (12)(v), any sexual conduct between a licensee and a client
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former client.
SURRENDER ORDER
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Based upon the foregoing
Findin!~s
of Fact and Conclusion of Law, the parties agree t
the provision and penalties imposed as follows:
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Respondent's licenses, LPC-2288 and LlSAC-1393, shall be surrendered to th
Board, effective from the date of entry as signed below.
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2.
The surrenders shall be considered a revocation of Respondent's licenses.
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3.
This Consent Agreement is conclusive evidence of the matters described herei
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and may be considered by the Board in determining appropriate sanctions in the event
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subsequent violation occurs.
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SUSAII HANNI\.Ft .l'V. U vV' l.
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BOARD ACCEPTS, SIGNS AHD D#~res THIS CONSENT AGREEMENT
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. 2012; with;
AfiJ!:Ona Boatd of Banaviol'lll Health Examlnet'l
344a N. c.nlml Aw., Sula 1100
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PhOenbc. AZ 85012
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COPY C!f the fcngolng mailed VIa Interagency Mad
Thle 7~ day of ~ b,.¢0/'f
... 2,t)1Zo lo;
f
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MamH. Han
14 AaliatarltAtmmev ~
15 PhoInix. AriZoM saoar
~ westWa&ttJngtDn
1e COPY of the fOn:goIng mailed via
Certified mar! no. .2 Oi I ? ~ I "::~l' IZ'P;} . ] 7 "3 '1 s.s ~ S
11 Thla '1.fk day or
~..- tv''''<- '~;f
. 201~t. to;
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SUsen Hanroa
AddrIU of Rec:ord
Respondent
COPY of the fcngoing mailed \Ita Mall
TlIIa J~.ayof - Ftf:,~'r< ~/1
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I..arry' CO!'ten .
The Cohan _ FIrm
PO Box 100SB .
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~ Mzona 850&4
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, TobJz.vabt. ~ Offtcar
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Llg;5II~ Date
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01-25-2012
PROFESSIONAL ACCEPTS, SICNS 'lHD PAteS THIS CONSENT AGREEMENT
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09:31:17 a.m.
802..s42-1817
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