The former counsellor accused of posing as a registered psychologist worked at Colony Farm since the spring, Global News has learned.
The College of Psychologists of British Columbia posting a public notification stating Nell Consiglio falsely identified herself in clinical records and other communications during October and November of 2015 while working at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital. The notification stating, “…Ms. Consiglio is not and has never been registered or entitled to work or practise as a Registered Psychologist in British Columbia.”
“This is an institution that is potentially a very dangerous working environment where you’re dealing with individuals who have very complex, very serious mental health problems,” said Mike Farnworth, NDP Justice Critic.
Colony Farm is home to some of the province’s most notorious offenders who have been found not-criminally responsible for their actions including Allan Schoenborn who murdered his three children in Merritt. Critics say Colony Farm should be hiring at minimum registered psychologists to deal with the province’s most complex mental health cases.
“It requires staff who have training, who have the credentials, and who have the qualifications,” said Farnworth. “That costs money. This is not the place to try and do things on the cheap.”
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It is unknown whether Consiglio treated Schoenborn but she was hired as a counsellor and met the institution’s minimum hiring requirements for the job: a master’s degree and five years of recent, related experience.
“Counsellors can provide some basic assessments and they can provide programs and some counselling as well. And again, that is all under the direction and the leadership of the psychiatrist and the team,” said Angela Draude, Provincial Executive Director of Forensic Psychiatric Services.
Registered Psychologists practicing in the province require a doctorate degree and must be registered with the college. Counsellors are not regulated by a governing body, but several self-regulating associations in B.C. say Consiglio is not a member.
“They don’t necessarily have to be because they do work under registered professionals, our psychiatrists, psychologists and nurses within the facility,” said Draude.
Those in charge of the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital say they cannot release information on Consiglio’s exact duties and how many patients she treated at Colony Farm. There is also no confirmation whether Consiglio was fired or quit.
Consiglio could not be reached for comment, but a family member says she is seeking legal representation.
None of the accusations have been proven in court.
The College of Psychologists says they have the authority to seek a court injunction against anyone who falsely claims to be a registered member.
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