State Suspends Credentials of Richland Mental Health Counselor

The Washington State Department of Health has suspended the counselor for at least two years.

The Department of Health oversees and monitors the behavior and performance of licensed medical practitioners, including counselors and mental healthcare providers.

Brenda Lea Vanderpool  has been accused of developing a personal relationship with a female patient, whom she began treating last March.  The woman, according to the state, suffered from panic disorder and severe anxiety.  The suspension occurred earlier this year, but was reported a few days ago by DOH in one of their regular news releases.

In April, according to DOH documents, the woman sent Vanderpool a text message from an area hotel saying she was "done."   The woman also had a history of suicidal thoughts and had cut herself in the past.

Instead of calling 911, Vanderpool stayed with the woman in the hotel overnight.  The DOH says during the counseling program,  she allowed the relationship to become personal, including hundreds of text and Facebook messages.  They frequently saw each other outside of counseling, called each other pet names, and reportedly said they loved each other.  Vanderpool also participated in three overnight camping trips with the woman and other people.

The documents also said Vanderpool was present twice when the woman cut herself, and went to the woman's home when she didn't respond to text messages.  The woman eventually told Vanderpool to stop contacting her.    Vanderpool is accused of violating numerous counseling laws and guidelines, and cannot practice for two years.

She then can apply for reinstatement, provided she also pays a $1,000 fine and completes and ethics program.

The DOH papers didn't specify which counseling form she worked for.