State Disciplines Puyallup Therapist

The state Department of Health has disciplined a Puyallup marriage and family therapist for unprofessional conduct, saying she “violated consent requirements when treating children, broke confidentiality and violated boundaries, provided substandard care, and provided false information about her education and credentials.”

Therapist Heidi Halsey signed a document agreeing to the state’s order on Feb. 13.

According to state documents, Halsey treated a 12-year-old boy with consent from only one of the boy’s parents, who were divorced, failing to respect a court-ordered parenting plan. She also treated both parents, creating “boundary confusion,” and broke confidentiality.

Under the agreement, the state will monitor Halsey for four years. She’s also required to practice in a group or agency practice; take certain professional education courses; pay a $2,500 fine; and stop using email or text messages to communicate with patients other than for scheduling.

The full order is available here.

It’s not Halsey’s first discipline from the state Department of Health.

In 2007, she agreed to at least two years probation, a $2,000 fine and continuing education for unprofessional conduct, after starting a romantic and sexual relationship with a former patient within months of ending their professional relationship in 2002, according to a department document. The probation was lifted in 2009.