The Associated Press
Prominent psychiatrist, writer posts bail in battery case
December 26, 2001

VISTA, Calif. – A psychiatrist and best-selling author accused of drugging patients and fondling them during counseling sessions was released from jail after he posted $500,000 bail.

As a condition of his Tuesday release, a judge ordered Harold Bloomfield, 57, of Del Mar not to practice medicine and to surrender his passport to authorities.

Bloomfield’s attorneys had sought lower bail, saying he had no criminal record and was not a flight risk.

Bloomfield has pleaded innocent to two felony charges counts of drugging drinks he gave to two women, one felony charge count of distributing the drug Ecstasy, and a misdemeanor count of sexual battery.

Prosecutors said detectives are investigating claims made by five other women.

Bloomfield, a specialist in holistic medicine and transcendental meditation, is the author or co-author of more than a dozen books, including “Making Peace with Your Parents” and “How to Be Safe in an Unsafe World.” The books have sold more than 7 million copies.

He’s appeared on a number of national television shows, including “Good Morning America” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”