California Psychologist suspended amid misconduct allegations

An Albany, California psychologist may soon lose his license over accusations of sexual misconduct by a female patient.

Jeffrey Arthur LeRoux, 53, awaits a revocation hearing on claims that he "sexualized" his psychotherapy sessions with a woman who sought help in late 2002 for childhood sexual abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. The alleged conduct included sucking her toes, and graduated to rubbing her genitals under the guise of "energy work," and to oral sex.

According to the allegations, LeRoux once disrobed himself and asked her to fondle him, saying it "was part of therapy, and they should imagine she was 3 years old and he was 5 years old."

His accuser, identified only by her initials, claims she tried to end contact with LeRoux, who was married, but he began coming to her home twice weekly to engage her in sexual activity. She complained last May to the state Board of Psychology. Last week, Administrative Law Judge Ruth Astle suspended his license pending the hearing.

LeRoux, a state-licensed psychologist since 1995 and a lecturer with San Francisco State's College of Extended Learning, could not be reached. His Oakland attorney, Robert Beles, said his client admits a sexual relationship, but denies a professional one.