A Denver psychiatrist has been disciplined by the state licensing board for unprofessional conduct with a patient who became sexually fixated on him during treatment.
Steve Sarche failed to terminate his doctor-patient relationship with a patient who developed erotomania during treatment that lasted from approximately November 2008 through July 2012, according to a Colorado Medical Board public document posted online.
Erotomania is defined as excessive sexual desire, or the delusional belief that one is the object of another person’s love or sexual desire.
The Medical Board also found that Sarche crossed professional boundaries by seeing the patient outside of his office, and by continuing to communicate with the patient after the professional relationship was finally terminated.
The Board found that the behavior was unprofessional conduct under state law and issued an order, effective February 27, under which Sarche agreed to a disciplinary letter from the Board, indefinite probation, and completing an ethics program and professional boundaries course.
Psychiatrists account for the largest percentage of doctors with boundary violations, according to a 2012 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Psychiatry and the Law. Boundary violations occur when doctors use their position of trust and authority for their own pleasure or benefit (or the benefit of others).
Similarly, a 2001 study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that one in three physicians (34%) who were disciplined at least partly because of their inappropriate personal contact with patients were psychiatrists.
If a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health worker has acted improperly with you or someone you know, we want to talk with you. You can contact us by clicking here or by calling 303-789-5225. All information will be kept strictly confidential.
