Dr Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg Fraudulent doctor of psychology, breaching ethics code
Investigating B.C. Therapist senses 4th questionable degree
Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg called for professional designations to break ethical code
A C.B. Psychotherapist accused of selling three degree phoney graduates was disciplined after an investigation discovered she failed in her obligation to be truthful and uphold the rules.
Kelowna's Susannah-Joy Schuilenberg also wrongly reported a baccalaureate degree when she applied for registration with the Canadian Professional Counselors Association (CPCA), according to a voluntary professional organisation discipline survey.
Since violating four portions of the CPCA code of ethics, Schuilenberg was forced to fork over two of her licensed counselor designations, the Oct. 25 disciplinary report states. This covers parts requiring public representation honesty, intellectual competence, ethical conduct and competency-keeping.
But the decision would not impair Schuilenberg 's right to function as a psychiatrist or CPCA membership.
As a volunteer organisation, the CPCA has no authority to ban anyone from practice, and the administrative decision states that while Schuilenberg 's credentials have changed, her "technical qualifications have not been found to be deficient."
In an emailed statement, Schuilenberg told CBC, "I am extremely saddened by the disciplinary committee's determination and will continue to seek a settlement that best represents my professional history."
Before this year, Schuilenberg named herself a "psychology doctor" online, using the honorary "Dr." and said she had received two master's degrees and a four-year doctorate. Simultaneously, she told a local news channel she had no high school diploma.
Sharon Pham, a counseling psychology professor at Providence Theological Seminary in Manitoba, filed the case against her, arguing that Schuilenberg's degrees "are not credible and probably false."
Pham told CBC Monday that the administrative action was "a step in the right direction," but she feels it hasn't gone far enough.
"The penalties aren't stringent enough considering her breaches' gravity. They should have removed her from the company," Pham said.
Pham began posing questions after one of her students finished a Schuilenberg guided practice. Schuilenberg has been motivated to see people face-to - face after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pham and her husband Joe started looking into Schuilenberg 's credentials, and their authenticity soon became skeptical.
Earlier this year, Schuilenberg openly admitted that her 2008 master's degree in counseling psychology was from a fake school in Idaho, and as a result she gave up her doctorate. The Caribbean university where Schuilenberg claims she earned her PhD is also claimed to be a "diploma factory" marketing questionable degrees for profit.
The only college degree left on Schuilenberg 's webpage is a master in religious education, but she modified the year it was completed from 2007 to 2004, noting that it is "non-traditional."
No B.C. therapy regulation.
Schuilenberg, as a psychiatrist, is not subject to mandatory legislation regulating practitioners including psychiatrists. There is no college to follow a code of ethics therapists, or who will revoke their qualifications if they don't meet a set of criteria.
Voluntary organisations like the CPCA have sought to fill the void, set members' standards, and establish complaint mechanisms.
The disciplinary summary of the CPCA does not comment on how Schuilenberg 's actions breached its ethical code, although it states that "other anomalies" were noticed in the group's application for credentials.
CPCA Executive Director Eva Kelades refused to include more information in an email, but added, "until a legislative college is established in our province, the CPCA remains committed to keeping our members responsible."
The disciplinary summary of the CPCA makes it clear that Schuilenberg can not call herself a psychologist or a doctor, saying she must "correct any references to the amount of years of her clinical practice to be true."
Previously, Schuilenberg 's website had promoted "30 + years of therapy room experience," despite having received her graduate counseling certificate in 2005—just 15 years ago.
The study says that any therapy agency to which Schuilenberg belongs must also include information of disciplinary measures. If she fails to comply with all of the report's measures, her CPCA membership will be revoked.
Since CBC first posted on the lawsuit against Schuilenberg, a former patient came to say she had begun seeing Schuilenberg on the understanding that she was "a psychology specialist."
During her tenure as Schuilenberg 's attorney, the woman granted Schuilenberg lawyer authority and the right to make legally binding health decisions, an agreement she now feels was unacceptable. Schuilenberg refused to comment on these claims, citing secrecy.