Jodi Nan Hildebrandt had her license put on probation by the Utah Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensing Board for 18 months effective January 25, 2012. Below is detailed information on the probation situation and resolution.
(Original Article archived on Salt Lake Tribune)
Porn therapist Jodi Hildebrandt violated state law and disciplined for telling LDS church, BYU about man
A “porn addiction” therapist has been reprimanded by the state for discussing a patient — without his permission — with his LDS Church leaders and Brigham Young University.
All of the claims made by Jodi Nan Hildebrandt were false, the man asserts, but they led to his loss of privileges in the church and his ejection from BYU.
“She just lied wherever she went to [further] an agenda to destroy my life,” said the man, who objected to bills that were as high as $2,000 a month. “We came there for marriage counseling, and she pulled us into her porn marathon.”
Hildebrandt, a professional counselor, is on probation for 18 months and must meet 22 conditions or she could lose her license.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said Wednesday that Hildebrandt is no longer on LDS Family Services’ referral list due to the case.
She is the director of LifeStar Utah County, a franchisee of a national company based in Utah that specializes in pornography and sexual addiction.
Excessive use of pornography is not recognized as a disorder by the American Psychiatric Association.
The conditions on Hildebrandt’s license include working under a supervisor approved by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. The supervisor will sit in on, videotape or audiotape at least one clinical session a month and review 20 percent of her patient files, according to a January order from DOPL.
The supervisor will also instruct her on issues related to confidentiality, boundaries and relationships. She may also need to undergo a psychological evaluation and complete treatment if necessary.
Hildebrandt did not return a phone call or email message. In the DOPL order, she agreed that her actions violated state law and the American Counseling Association’s code of ethics.
Hildebrandt’s lawyer, Robert Harrison, said in an email that her license is “active and her practice has and will continue without interruption.”
In 2008, Hildebrandt provided therapy to a married couple, identified by DOPL only as John and Jane Doe, who later divorced.
John Doe agreed to an interview but asked not to be identified because he fears repercussions from the therapist. He has subsequently been told he can return to study at BYU if he chooses, and he is currently a member of the church.
Between 2008 and 2010, Hildebrandt repeatedly discussed the couple with their LDS clergy and other mental health therapists, without having signed authorization, the DOPL order said.
In 2009, she talked about John Doe to the Honor Code Office at BYU.
In those conversations, Doe said she accused him of having serious problems but never actually diagnosed him or spent enough time with him to do so.
“She spent hardly any time knowing about my life,” he said. “She didn’t want to talk about my personal goals or my progress. She would only threaten me that if I didn’t take more sessions and have my wife take more sessions, the alleged addiction would destroy my life.”
In addition, while Hildebrandt was providing therapy to Jane Doe, she allowed the woman to work in her clinic without documenting whether she had given the patient information about the benefits or risks of blurring their therapeutic relationship.
In an interview, John Doe said the couple had been referred to LifeStar for marriage counseling by their LDS bishop, whose brother co-founded the Murray-based national LifeStar Network. It licenses others to use its counseling materials.
John Doe said he did not have addiction issues, and once he began to question Hildebrandt’s therapy — which cost $1,200 to $2,000 a month — his personal life started to unravel.
He believes Hildebrandt was using his marriage as leverage “for me to pay for everything.”
Todd Olson, with LifeStar Network in Murray, said he is aware of the discipline order against Hildebrandt. He said she is licensed to use the company’s materials but she is not an employee, and he has no authority over her Utah County office.
Olson said LifeStar is on the LDS Church’s authorized referral list for sex addiction therapy. The church has recently emphasized the dangers of pornography. Hildebrandt was listed as a speaker, addressing pornography, at the 2010 BYU Women’s Conference.
Licensing requirements
To be licensed in Utah as a “professional counselor,” a therapist must have a master’s degree or a doctorate in mental health counseling, or an equivalent degree. It must be from a school accredited by one of several professional councils selected by the Utah Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing. DOPL also sets standards for the types of coursework required.
Stipulation Order Except:
7. Respondent admits the following facts are true:
- Respondent was first licensed as a professional counselor in the State of Utah on or about July 7th 2005
- On our about April 10, 2008 respondent begame a clinical relationship providing mental health therapy to a married couple hereinafter referred to as John and Jane Doe. John and Jane Doe are now divorced
- Between April 2008 and March 2010, on multiple occasions in the State of Utah, respondent, without having received signed authorizations, discussed sensitive private information about John and Jane Doe with the clergy of John Doe and Jane Doe, and two other mental health therapists.
- On or about March 11, 2009 respondent, without having received signed authorizations or any other type of permission from John Doe, disclosed sensitive confidential information about John Doe, including a medical diagnosis, with administrators at the university located in Utah. The disclosure of the information was detrimental to John Doe and not in John Doe’s best interest.
- Between about November 2009 and about March 2010, while respondent was providing mental health therapy to Jane Doe, respondent permitted Jane Doe, who was then a mental health therapy student, to perform a clinical practicum at the clinic owned by respondent. Respondent determined that this arrangement would be beneficial to Jane Doe due to the fact that Jane Doe that attended therapy groups and community support groups at the facility, that Jane Doe was comfortable with issues of the clients. Respondent failed to document the informed consent, benefits, and risks of such a relationship in Jane Doe’s patient chart.
- Respondent admits that the Respondent’s conduct and described above is unprofessional
(Original Stipulation order on dopl.gov website)
Stipulation and Order of License on Probation
Clinical Mental Health Counselor Licensing Board – Jodi Hildebrandt, new probation interview
Ms. Jodi Hildebrandt is in compliance with her stipulation. The Board needs to review her October and November supervisor reports. The Board needs to review any proposed CEs. She needs to have these completed by January 1, 2013. Discussion: The Board discussed Ms. Hildebrandt completing the AMHCA CE course, noting that this course deals with her boundary violations. This was a webinar that was held the week of December 10, 2012. She still needs to complete her essay.
Ms. Hildebrandt met with the Board. Mr. King conducted the interview. Ms. Hildebrandt expressed concern regarding the students in attendance at this Board meeting.
She was advised that the Board meetings are open to the public. She may request her interview with the Board be closed to discuss the character, professional competence, or physical or mental health of an individual. Ms. Hildebrandt stated she was okay with the meeting remaining open at this time.
Ms. Hildebrandt noted that currently a former client and the inability to protect herself and her family from him stalking her is the biggest stress in her life. She believes that confidentiality laws prohibit her from identifying him to legal authorities at this time. She continues to be concerned about herself and her family’s safety because she believes that she is still being stalked. She believes that he has been to her home 2 times since her meeting with the Board in September. Ms. Hildebrandt stated she continues working with law enforcement for assistance in this matter. Currently her local police department has 18 calls from her regarding the stalking and vandalisms.
She attended 2 ethics courses and talked with the instructors regarding the stalking. They gave her the same feedback as the association lawyers and Board. One of the instructors stated he would research this further to see how other mental health therapists in other states handle this. Ms. Hildebrandt stated she regularly consults with her supervisor.
They review her cases. The Board reminded Ms. Hildebrandt that when she is called into court, she should only share how a client is doing in treatment and if the court wants a recommendation, she should refer them to a mental health professional, licensed to provide custody evaluations. To do anything further would be a conflict of interest. The Board also advised Ms. Hildebrandt that it is appropriate for her to request a court order before responding to an attorney’s request for client information.
Ms. Hildebrandt stated that she manages her stress by exercising, looking to friends for support and talking with seasoned therapists. Ms. Hildebrandt stated she took a vacation out of state and found this very helpful. The Board noted that her supervisor reports are positive. Ms. Hildebrandt gave the Board a certificate showing she completed a continuing education course and will provide the Board with another one when she is able to get it printed. The Board encouraged Ms. Hildebrandt to review the Mental Health Practice Act, Exemptions for Confidentiality, 58-60-114 (2)(a)(i) reporting under Title 62A, Chapter 3, Part 3, Abuse, Neglect, or Exploitation of a Vulnerable Adult to see if her circumstances would fall under this category, and to consult with her liability provider attorney. The Board asked to see Ms. Hildebrandt on March 19, 2013. Ms. Hildebrandt is in compliance with her stipulation.
(Original minutes on the dopl.gov website)
Jodi Hildebrandt, second probation interview
Ms. Hildebrandt met with the Board. Mr. King conducted the interview.
Ms. Hildebrandt stated things are going well. She continues to deal with the issues of the stalker who comes to her home. Ms. Hildebrandt stated she is setting her own personal boundaries.
She is being proactive in obtaining the appropriate releases. She is working to stay current on the laws and she interacts with people who know what the current laws are. The Board encouraged Ms. Hildebrandt to look at the written ethical standards and case studies. To contact the state chapter and national chapter as well as those within her community for input. Make sure she reviews the pros and cons with the client before she releases information. The Board noted Ms. Hildebrandt has completed her continuing education requirement.
The Board reviewed her essay and felt it was done very well. The Board noted Ms. Hildebrandt’s probation is for one year and is scheduled to end July 27, 2013. The Board encouraged her to come to the next Board meeting prepared with letters why she feels she should be released from probation. She needs to have her supervisor include a note stating she supports Ms. Hildebrandt being released from probation. The Board advised Ms. Hildebrandt that supervisor reports are protected. The Board encouraged her to consult with the AMHCA and an attorney regarding the stalking. The Board asked to see Ms. Hildebrandt on June 4, 2013. Ms. Hildebrandt is in compliance with her stipulation.
(Original minutes posted on the dopl.gov website)
Reinstatement of License
(Original reinstatement order on dopl.gov website)
How to file a complaint with DOPL
The Utah Mental Health Professional Practice Act details the requirements and restrictions placed on mental heath professionals in Utah.
https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title58/Chapter60/C58-60_1800010118000101.pdf
If you feel your rights have been violated you can file a complaint with DOPL