BC psychologist promoted astrology during therapy session

A BC psychologist who used and promoted astrology during a session with a client has been issued a formal reprimand.

According to a July 26 College of Health and Care Professionals of BC summary disposition order, registered psychologist Lorraine Bennington used and promoted astrology as part of her practice.

“(Astrology) is a technique that has not been subject to scientific verification, and is without proven validity and reliability,” the regulator says in the disposition.

The College says a client of Bennington’s complained about the psychologist using astrology despite the client’s “expressed discomfort” with discussing astrology during their treatment.

“(Bennington) also failed to adequately describe how she uses astrology in her sessions, ensure client understanding of same, and accurately document whether informed consent was obtained, as well as client’s refusal of the services,” the regulator says.

According to her website, the Vancouver-based psychologist obtained a master’s degree in counselling in 1979, and has spoken widely on the subject to numerous media organizations over the years. In 2022, she spoke to CBC about the dangers of unregulated life coaches presenting themselves as experts in mental illness.

Her website now states she is no longer registered as a psychologist, and it appears she let her licence expire on April 1.

“I am a spiritual, personal, and executive coach. Coaching does not include psychological diagnosis, assessment, or treatment, and is not a substitute for regulated mental health care,” her website says.

On July 26, Bennington signed a consent agreement with the regulator admitting that she promoted astrology as part of her practice.

In issuing the public reprimand, the College says that if she reinstates her licence to practise psychology in the future, she must use treatment techniques that have been scientifically verified and shown to have proven validity and reliability.