RI Suspends Mental Health Counselor's License for Having Romantic Relationship With Student

RI Suspends Mental Health Counselor's License for Having Romantic Relationship With Student

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has suspended the license of a health professional — for having a relationship with an underage student. 

According to RIDOH, Celine Vescera — a licensed mental health counselor — had been working at a school in Exeter. 

“While employed in that capacity, Vescera provided mental health counseling to a student under the age of 18 (Patient A),” according to RIDOH. 

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Vescera’s LinkedIn profile shows that using that time, she was employed at the Exeter Jobs Corps Center. 

RIDOH continued:

“While providing counseling service to Patient A in the course of her employment, Vescera engaged in a romantic relationship with Patient A, in violation of the NBCC Code of Ethics, as adopted by the Board of Mental Health Counselors and Marriage and Family Therapists,” stated RIDOH.

 

Involvement of State Police 

Following the discovery of the relationship, RIDOH said it received multiple reports of inappropriate contact from school staff, relatives, and the Rhode Island State Police. 

According to RIDOH, further investigation confirmed that Vescera had indeed engaged in a romantic relationship with Patient A -- and that Vescera "knowingly submitted false statements to RIDOH in an effort to conceal the relationship, mislead RIDOH regarding her unprofessional conduct, and impede the investigation."

The Director of RIDOH reviewed the facts and conclusions in this case and further found that "public health, safety, or welfare imperatively required emergency action."

According to RIDOH, who suspended Vescera's license on Friday August 4, a hearing on disciplinary charges is “forthcoming.” 

Vescera did not respond to request for comment.