Psychologist’s Methods Ok’d By State Board Decision Includes Consultations, But Prozac Doctor Feels Vindicated

A Wenatchee psychologist known as the “Pied Piper of Prozac” can keep practicing but must consult with an adviser for up to three years, a state board ruled Monday.

But in its agreement with James Goodwin, the state Health Department’s Examining Board of Psychology says it recognizes Goodwin’s preferred method of therapy as effective in treating some forms of depression.

“I’ve got to say that after all these years, it’s a victory. It’s a victory because I’m accepted finally for what I do,” Goodwin said.

The agreement says there is evidence indicating Goodwin negligently violated the state code governing psychologists by failing to obtain written consent when he asked patients to discuss their treatment regimens with potential patients.

However, it also says the two sides “agree to disagree whether there is evidence of actual harm of a client.”

The agreement ends nearly three years of battling over Goodwin’s methods of diagnosing and treating patients.

Goodwin gained international fame for his belief that everyone in society suffers from at least some level of depression and would benefit from a combination of cognitive therapy - in which psychological disorders are treated by attempting to alter a patient’s patterns of negative thinking and behavior - and antidepressant drugs.

In December 1993, The state board accused Goodwin of breaching patient confidentiality, diagnosing patients without adequate evaluation, pressuring patients into taking Prozac and retaliating against a psychologist who protested his treatment methods.

In 1995, the board lodged administrative charges of mental impairment against Goodwin, alleging he had a psychological disorder that should bar him from practicing.

Last February, after seven days of hearings, the board dismissed the charge that Goodwin was mentally impaired. He still faced allegations of negligence, incompetence, and practicing in an area of psychology for which he was not trained.

A hearing on those allegations was to have started Monday, but was cancelled because of the agreement.

The agreement says the Health Department “is aware of no psychological or psychiatric infirmities, neither in the past nor at this time, which renders Dr. Goodwin unable to practice psychology with reasonable skill and safety.”

Further, it says the department recognizes that cognitive therapy plus certain medications such as Prozac “can be an effective means of treating some depressions. Without necessarily agreeing with Dr. Goodwin’s position, the department recognizes that Dr. Goodwin sincerely believes that it is the best means of treatment of depression at this time.”

Under the agreement, Goodwin will revise the disclosure statement he gives his clients to point out his preferred method of treatment includes cognitive therapy and medication. The statement must be signed by each client before psychological services begin.

If a client decides to discontinue treatment, Goodwin agrees he will contact that person only to offer aid in finding other professional help, the agreement says.

And if he asks existing clients to tell prospective clients about their treatment, Goodwin will get written permission from both.

Last week, Goodwin acknowledged he had made a mistake in only obtaining oral, not written permission in such instances.

“It might have caused harm,” he said. “I let a person be open to risk. I admit that.”

In return, Goodwin said, he asked the state to acknowledge there is nothing wrong with him or his treatment methods.

“I wanted my licensing board to basically admit: ‘We don’t necessarily agree, but it’s valid what you do. You keep on doing it,”’ he said.

An adviser acceptable both to Goodwin and the state will be named to consult with Goodwin on patient diagnoses. The adviser, to be paid for by Goodwin, will be appointed for three years, although that can be shortened if the adviser and state agree.

The state waived any monetary fine against Goodwin in recognition of his lost practice time and the cost of paying for the adviser. Goodwin estimated Monday that his legal bills and lost time have totaled $300,000.