GREGORY CARTER: UPDATED, MORE DETAILED REPORT FROM DURHAMREGION.COM. CHILDREN WRONGFULLY SEIZED BASED ON HIS UNQUALIFIED OPINION;

BACKGROUND: Gregory Carter, 63, was charged Jan. 25 with fraud, obstructing justice and perjury. Durham police allege Mr. Carter falsely identified himself as a psychologist in family court proceedings, identifying himself as a doctor. Some of those hearings resulted in parents losing bids for custody of their children, police said. On June 22, 2010, he pleaded guilty to professional misconduct for holding himself out as a "doctor" and was suspended for three months. Local papers have reported that the possibility of a class action is being explored.

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Whitby man facing criminal charges suspended by psychologists' panel: Penalized for family court assessments

By Jeff Mitchell

TORONTO -- A Whitby man, already facing criminal charges including perjury and fraud, has been suspended by the Ontario College of Psychologists for exaggerating his credentials.

Gregory Carter admitted Tuesday that in the course of his work as a witness in family court child custody proceedings, he had made diagnoses he was not qualified to make, and claimed he had obtained a doctorate in psychology although his credentials were never accepted by the college.

The actions, which amounted to disgraceful misconduct, took place in the midst of "very sensitive family law proceedings," prosecutor Jennifer McKendry told a five-member disciplinary panel.

The panel suspended Mr. Carter from practising for three months beginning July 15 and ordered that when he resumes practice, any work he does on custody and access files will be supervised by an approved professional. He also received a reprimand from the college.

Mr. Carter, a psychological associate who has conducted numerous parenting assessments for the Durham Children's Aid Society, admitted he had breached restrictions that prohibit him from offering independent diagnoses of psychological disorders. In the case before the disciplinary panel, Mr. Carter recommended two young children be placed in the custody of their mother, finding the father suffered from mental illness. Mr. Carter agreed he arrived at the conclusion without sufficient basis.

The father, identified in the file as Mr. S., complained to the college that Mr. Carter had offered an opinion he was not qualified to make and falsely claimed to have a doctorate of psychology. The Whitby man, who was present Tuesday, agreed with the punishment meted out to Mr. Carter.

"I think the fact that there's a suspension is significant," said the man, who said he's spent his life savings fighting for custody of his children.

"But he hasn't been told to fix the problem," he said. "Now I have to go back to court to get my kids back."

Several other Durham Region residents who said they've made complaints to the college about Mr. Carter were present Tuesday. One Oshawa woman, who said her daughter was apprehended by the CAS on Dr. Carter's recommendation, complained to the college in 2008 and is now appealing the action taken then -- a warning from the college. Another man who has filed a complaint said he lost custody of his kids after a report from Mr. Carter to family court.

Also present was a Clarington man whose complaints to Durham police led to charges including perjury, fraud and obstruction of justice against Mr. Carter. Police allege Mr. Carter falsely represented himself as having a doctorate in psychology while testifying in family court.

Tuesday, Ms. McKendry said while Mr. Carter properly identified himself as a psychological associate, he claimed he had obtained his PhD after he was registered with the College of Psychologists, but "this was not true. In fact, (Mr. Carter) obtained his doctorate degree before his certificate of registration was granted, but this degree was not recognized by (the college)."

Mr. Carter's lawyer, Lisa Hamilton, said the man had not acted illegally in calling himself a doctor. But in early 2009, the college tightened criteria for using the title in the practice of psychology, she said.

Mr. Carter's criminal charges are still before the courts. Some complainants are also considering civil action, a lawyer involved in the case confirmed Tuesday.

The story can be found at:

http://www.newsdurhamregion.com/news/article/156806

Harold Levy...hlevy15@gmail.com;