A Vancouver child psychiatrist groomed three teenage girls for sex, promised to marry two of them, and had intercourse with one girl in his office, says a report by the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons.

As seen in this report (edited for length) You can read the BCCPS Press Release here [PDF]

A Vancouver child psychiatrist expelled this week for sexual misconduct with three teenage girls groomed them for sex, promised to marry two of them, and had intercourse with one girl in his office, says a report by the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons.

The report was issued Friday, a day after the college announced it had stripped Dr. Richard Leslie Golden of his right to practise medicine for unprofessional conduct, finding he acted as a "sexual predator" who used three young female patients for his own sexual gratification in 2000 and 2001.

One patient was 15 and two were 17 when they began seeing Golden for problems with an eating disorder and depression. The college found the young girls were from fragile family backgrounds. The report does not disclose their identity.

Dr. Doug Blackman, deputy registrar of the college, described Golden's conduct as an "appalling" abuse of trust.

"What this does is really impair the doctor-patient relationship," Blackman said Friday.

Golden, 49, has been struck from the college registrar, meaning he can no longer practise medicine in B.C., he added.

The child psychiatrist had an intimate sexual relationship with one girl at his office that included kissing, fondling, masturbation and oral sex. Golden also told the girl he loved her.

In another case, the psychiatrist asked his patient if she was a virgin, asked her to describe her underwear, and questioned her sexual activity.

The college found Golden began his relationship with the girl when she could not legally give consent and later encouraged her to end her doctor-patient relationship with him so he could continue his personal relationship with the girl.

The college says he gave the girl money, hugged her at the end of therapy sessions, and had cell phone contact with her for non-medical reasons. It also says he convinced one girl to break off a sexual relationship with a young male and dishonestly led two of the girls to believe he had terminated the doctor-patient relationship so their sexual relationships could continue.

He promised to marry two of the girls, according to the college report, which says: "The promises were as empty then as they turned out to be when reality arrived for these unfortunate young women."

The college conducted an inquiry into the complaints before a committee on Aug. 23 and 24, but neither Golden nor his lawyer attended the hearing, which found Golden guilty of unprofessional and infamous conduct.

Golden used a "grooming process" by making favourable comments about the girl's bodies, hair and appearance, he would suggest they regard him as a confidante and call him on his cell phone after office hours, the college found.

At his office at 777 W. Broadway, he would begin holding their hands, which would later progress to hugging, kissing and fondling.

"As the relationships progressed, he would schedule office appointments for the last appointment of the day, usually on a Friday or Saturday morning, to minimize the risk of detection," the college report said.

The girls testified that their relationship with Golden made them feel special and they thought he had feelings for them. "I was in love with him," one said.

The doctor's cell phone records and e-mail provided a "paper trail" that supported the testimony of the complainants, the college found.

According to the most recent annual report from the B.C. Medical Services Commission, Golden billed the government $446,477 for treating patients during the 2005 fiscal year.

Golden had been a member of the college since 1986 and graduated from medical school at the University of Manitoba in 1981. He was married with children at the time the college began investigating his conduct.

He had been recommended by the Autism Society of B.C. as a child psychiatrist with experience in autism disorders.

Golden is facing two civil lawsuits filed by his former patients, who claim damages for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty.

One of the women, an unemployed single mother, claims that Golden's negligence in initiating sexual relations exacerbated her psychiatric condition, affected her ability to form lasting relationships, and has made her depressed and suicidal.

The other woman claims she has also become extremely depressed, suicidal and suffers from self-mutilation.

Also named as defendants in the lawsuit are Golden's wife of 25 years, Susan Golden, also a psychiatrist and a partner with her husband in their business, Westside Family Psychiatric Services Inc.

The lawsuit claims Susan Golden was vicariously liable for her husband's actions and should have known her husband was entering into inappropriate sexual relationships with patients -- allegations Susan Golden denies in her statement of defence filed in B.C. Supreme Court.

Earlier this year, Susan Golden went to court and had her husband declared incapable of managing his own affairs because of mental incapacity arising from a major depressive disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder.

Court documents said that Richard Golden was receiving a $10,525 monthly disability allowance from an insurance policy.

An affidavit filed by Richard Golden's treating physician, Dr. Michael Myers, says Golden is very ill, exhibits symptoms of depression, high anxiety, fatigue and easily becomes disoriented as to time and place.

The doctor stated that Richard Golden is incapable of managing his own affairs or instructing legal counsel.