Committee: Discipline
Decision Date: 18 Nov 2013
Summary:
On November 18, 2013, the Discipline Committee found that Dr. Jerry Tennen, a psychiatrist, has committed professional misconduct, in that he failed to maintain the standard of practice of the profession, and in that he has engaged in conduct or an act or omission relevant to the practice of medicine that, having regard to all the circumstances, would reasonably be regarded by members as disgraceful, dishonourable or unprofessional. Dr. Tennen admitted the allegations.
Dr. Tennen treated Patient A from 1997 to 1999. On occasion, he ended his therapy sessions with Patient A by placing his arm around her shoulder or giving her a hug. On one occasion when leaving his office, Dr. Tennen kissed Patient A on the lips. The College expert found that Dr. Tennen failed to maintain a proper frame for the psychotherapy treatment, displayed a deficiency in skill and judgment in the act of kissing the patient on the lips and that his record keeping was marginal and there was no diagnostic formulation noted.
Dr. Tennen treated Patient B from 1997 to 2009. During their therapeutic relationship, Dr. Tennen exchanged brief hugs with Patient B, provided Patient B a kiss on the cheek, and while Patient B was in the midst of an eroticized transference, Dr. Tennen asked to see her surgical incision on her back. She lifted her shirt and he examined her scar. The College expert found that Dr. Tennen failed to maintain a proper frame for psychotherapy in light of the patient's eroticized transference, displayed a lack of skill and judgment in misjudging the impact of physical attention on this patient and in asking to see her surgical incision, and that his record keeping was marginal and there was no clear formulation of his patient.
The Committee ordered and directed that:
the Registrar suspend Dr. Tennen's certificate of registration for a period of three (3) months commencing at 12:01 a.m. on December 1, 2013.
the Registrar impose the following terms, conditions and limitations on Dr. Tennen's certificate of registration:
a) Dr. Tennen shall, within 30 days from the date of this Order, retain a clinical supervisor, approved by the College, who shall sign the Undertaking in the form attached hereto as Schedule "A" (the "Clinical Supervisor"). Dr. Tennen shall meet with the Clinical Supervisor every two weeks to review the cases and charts of a minimum of three female patients with potential to experience, or actively, experiencing, transference in the course of treatment. Dr. Tennen shall abide by all recommendations of his Clinical Supervisor.
b) following a twelve month period of supervision, Dr. Tennen shall undergo a reassessment of his practice by a College appointed assessor who shall report the results of the assessment to the College.
c) Dr. Tennen shall cooperate with unannounced inspections of his practice and patient charts by College representatives for the purposes of monitoring and enforcing compliance with the terms of this Order.
d) Dr. Tennen shall be responsible for any and all costs associated with implementing the terms of this Order.
Dr. Tennen attend before the panel to be reprimanded.
Dr. Tennen pay costs to the College in the amount of $4,460.00 within thirty (30) days of the date of this Order.