The Associated Press State & Local Wire

December 2, 2003, Tuesday, BC cycle

Sex with patient costs psychiatrist his license

BYLINE: By BOB ANEZ, Associated Press Writer

SECTION: State and Regional

LENGTH: 436 words

DATELINE: HELENA

A Helena psychiatrist has lost his state medical license because he had a sexual relationship with one his female patients for more than two years.
In an order released Monday, the Board of Medical Examiners revoked the license of Dr. Nathan Munn for two years, after which time he can ask to have it reinstated. The revocation took effect Nov. 25.
A patient accused Munn of using his position to exploit her vulnerable condition during therapy sessions for her mental and emotional problems.
The board’s action reflected the position of the state Department of Labor and Industry, and was more severe than a hearing examiner recommended in August. The hearing officer suggested a 90-day license suspension and five years probation for Munn, concluding such an incident was unlikely to occur again.
Wendy Holton, Munn’s attorney, declined to comment on the board decision except to say she agrees with the hearing examiner’s findings and recommendation.
Munn, whose home phone is unlisted, could not be reached for comment. His office phone had a recorded message saying Munn is no longer able to practice medicine.
According to documents filed with the board, Munn began seeing the woman professionally in December 1997. Munn and the woman’s family socialized together during the time she was being treated by Munn.
At the same time, Munn’s marriage deteriorated and his relationship with the patient – referred to only as Jane Doe – became stronger, the board said. Munn and his wife eventually divorced.
At some point, the board said, Munn began touching and holding the woman as part of the therapy sessions in his office. Munn denied such contact occurred, but acknowledged the two began a sexual relationship in mid-1999. They met regularly for sex until August 2001, and during that time Munn continued prescribing medication for the woman, the board found.
It noted the woman was vulnerable to sexual advances because she had been sexually abused and raped as a child.
In the summer of 2001, Munn decided to end the relationship and the woman became distraught, the board said. After confrontations with the woman, Munn sought therapy himself.
Gregory Hanchett, the hearing examiner, agreed with those who examined Munn that the doctor had not intended to groom Jane Doe for sex and that his actions were not caused by some “deviant behavioral flaw.”
Rather, the sexual affair was the culmination of an “evolving friendship and their professional relationship,” he said. “These factors undoubtedly created an environment conducive to strong feelings between Munn and Doe.”