Blacktown counsellor banned after having sex with patient
A former counsellor at a Blacktown disability service has been banned for at least five years after an investigation found he had a sexual relationship with a patient.
Blacktown
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A counsellor has been banned from practising for at least five years after engaging in a sexual relationship with an “extremely vulnerable” patient at a Blacktown disability service.
Luke Joseph Papallo was given the prohibition order after an investigation by the Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) found he had a personal and sexual relationship with a female client over a six-month period at Afford disability services, Blacktown.
The investigation found that Mr Papallo, a non-registered health practitioner, engaged in the relationship with the young client who was being treated for anxiety, panic attacks and depression.
According to a statement from the commission, it said Mr Papallo’s relationship with the client “exacerbated (her) condition to the extent that it increased her symptoms of panic attacks, anxiety and depression”.
“The investigation found that Mr Papallo breached his professional boundaries and abused his position of trust and power as a counsellor by exploiting a very vulnerable patient for his own sexual gratification,” the commission said.
“Mr Papallo displayed little insight or remorse into the impact his conduct has had on (the patient).”
The commission found that he “failed to provide health services in a safe and ethical manner” and “failed to assist (the patient) with finding another counsellor/psychologist for treatment despite her requests for such assistance”.
The commission said his actions we found to be in breach of three clauses of the code of conduct for unregistered health practitioners.
According to Mr Papallo’s social media, he worked as a Disability Employment Services counsellor at Afford from June 2013 to June 2018.
His website states he is a “qualified counsellor and coach, knowledgeable and experienced in therapies such as CBT, Voice Dialogue … Acceptance and Commitment therapy and Exposure and Response Prevention Therapy”.
Mr Papallo also states on his website that his sessions focus on “increasing self-worth, increased freedom and flexibility, reduction in stress, anxiety and negative emotions”.
It says he has provided services to professional athletes, lawyers and school teachers.
He is banned from providing health services for a minimum of five years, until the commission is satisfied he “no longer poses a risk to the health or safety of the public”.
The Advocate has approached Mr Papallo for comment.