RI therapist has license suspended over alleged relationship with student she was treating

PROVIDENCE – The state Department of Health has suspended a therapist’s license to practice in Rhode Island based on allegations she engaged in a romantic relationship with a minor patient she was treating at a school in Exeter.

The state moved to summarily suspend the license of Celine Vescera on Aug. 4 after receiving multiple reports from school staff, relatives and the state police about inappropriate contact between Vescera and a student under age 18 who was living at the school.

State police Lt. Col. Robert A. Creamer said they investigated the complaint against Vescera in April 2022 and there was no evidence to support criminal charges.

Health officials: Vescera tried to hide the relationship

Vescera, 30, who has been a practicing mental-health counselor since 2016, was employed by the unidentified school in March 2022 when she was providing mental-health services to the student.

State health officials confirmed the existence of the romantic relationship through an investigation and determined that Vescera knowingly submitted false statements to try to conceal it, mislead the state regarding her conduct and impede the investigation, the order states.

More: A nurse reportedly wrote his number on a patient's thigh. The state suspended his license.

After reviewing the facts, Interim Health Director Utpala Bandy concluded that the emergency suspension was needed to protect public health, safety and welfare, according to the order.

An administrative hearing officer will oversee a hearing on the merits of the charges. Vescera could not be reached immediately for comment.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: RI DOH suspends Celine Vescera's license, alleges student relationship