Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, BOARD OF CLINICAL SOCIAL WORK, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPY, AND MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING
Respondent: MAUREEN REGAN TRAYNOR
Judges: MARY CLARK
Agency: Department of Health
Locations: Orlando, Florida
Filed: Aug. 04, 2000
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Tuesday, September 19, 2000.
Latest Update: Dec. 22, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH,
Petitioner,
vs. . : AHCA Case No.: 1998-01354
MAUREEN REGAN TRAYNOR,
Respondent.
/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, hereinafter referred to as “Petitioner,” files
this Administrative Complaint before the Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family ,
Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling, against MAUREEN REGAN TRAYNOR, hereinafter
referred to as “Respondent,” and alleges:
1. Effective July 1, 1997, Petitioner is the state agency charged with regulating the
practice of mental health counseling pursuant to Section 20.43, Florida Statutes; Chapter 455,
Florida Statutes, and Chapter 491, Florida Statutes.
2. Pursuant to the authority of Section 20.43 (3)(g) Florida Statutes, the Petitioner
has contracted with the Agency for Health Care Administration to provide consumer complaint,
investigative, and prosecutorial services required by the Division of Medical Quality Assurance,
councils, or boards, as appropriate, including the issuance of emergency orders of suspension or
restriction.
3. Respondent is, and has been at all times material, a licensed mental health ry
counselor in the State of Florida, having being issued license number MH 0003274.
4. The last known address of the Respondent is Choices Counseling Center, Post
Office Box 144, Winter Park, Florida 32790.
5. The Respondent is the director of Choices Counseling Center.
- Sw)
6. From approximately 1987 to 1996, Choices Counseling Center was licensed
under the Florida Mental Health Act, subject to the Department of Health and Rehabilitative
Services (HRS) as an alcohol and drug rehabilitation center. .
7. Any person who is a salaried employee of such a facility licensed by the HRS is
not required to be licensed under Chapter 491.
8. The Respondent obtained licensure as a mental health counselor on or about
January 4, 1994.
9. From approximately September 1989 until March 1997, PA sought therapeutic
treatment from Choices.
10. ~The Respondent signed PA’s “Family Medical History” dated September 8, 1989 -
and a “Treatment Plan Update” dated December 1, 1993, as Maureen Traynor, LMHC, prior to
her attaining that licensure.
11. The schedule of fees stated, “When checking with your insurance company to
determine coverage, please be sure to state that the providers are Mastered Degree counselors.”
This same document listed that two of the counselors held bachelors degrees and one held an
MBA.
12. The group therapy sessions conducted by the Respondent usually had 30 to 40
individuals participating.
13. Professional literature suggests that therapeutic groups should include between 8
and 15 individuals with a screening process performed to determine if the group is appropriate to
meet the needs of the patient.
14. The treatment records for PA fail to document that any screening for group
participation was performed by Respondent.
15. Information that was provided by PA in individual sessions was disclosed in
group sessions in which PA did not participate and was released without his consent.
Based on the Sdooing, Respondent is subject to discipline violation of 491.009
(2)(q), Florida Statutes, through a violation of chapter 491.012(1)(c)(1), Florida Statutes by using
the title “Licensed Mental Health Counselor” without holding a valid license; and section 491.009
(2)(s), Florida Statutes, by failing to meet the minimum standards of performance in professional
activities when measured against generally prevailing peer performance.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests the Board of Clinical Social Work,
Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling to enter an order imposing one or
more of the following penalties: revocation or suspension of Respondent’s license; restriction of
Respondent’s practice; imposition of an administrative fine; issuance of a reprimand; placement
of Respondent’s license on probation for a period of time and subject to terms and/or conditions
imposed by the Board; and/or any other relief that the Board deems appropriate.
SIGNED this Gaz of
2000.
Fi LE Dp Robert G. Brooks, M. D.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Secretary, Department of Health
DEP ER
CLERK .
DATE. AS Yoo
Practitioner Regulation — Legal
General Counsel’s Office - MQA
\ Deborah B. Loucks id
Senior Attorney
Florida Bar Number 0169889
Agency for Health Care Administration
General Counsel’s Office -MQA
Practitioner Regulation — Legal
Post Office Box 14229
Tallahassee, Florida 32317-4229
(850) 487-9694
Docket for Case No: 00-003200PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Sep. 19, 2000 |
Order Closing File issued. CASE CLOSED.
|
Sep. 14, 2000 |
Petitioner`s Motion for Abeyance of Proceedings (filed via facsimile).
|
Aug. 22, 2000 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions issued.
|
Aug. 22, 2000 |
Notice of Hearing issued (hearing set for September 27, 2000; 9:00 a.m.; Orlando, FL).
|
Aug. 08, 2000 |
Initial Order issued. |
Aug. 04, 2000 |
Request for Formal Proceedings filed.
|
Aug. 04, 2000 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Aug. 04, 2000 |
Agency referral filed.
|