Substance abuse counselor abuses substance

Theresa Zody, a certified substance abuse counselor in Richmond, had her license suspended by the board last week, according to this consent order.

The board of counseling alleged that Zody had an addiction to narcotic pain medications. Zody agreed to enter inpatient therapy but then got in trouble for not leaving her clients with the proper care while she was absent. It looks like the board might take further action, pending another hearing.

Farifax doctor entered psychotherapy

Michael Hryvniak, a doctor from Fairfax, performed a psychiatric evaluation of a patient in April ‘05 who had “multi-faceted and complex psychiatric issues,” according to a consent order filed in May. The order was not available on the database and was sent to me via snail mail. In July, Hryvniak began psychotherapy treatment on the patient and subsequently began a personal and sexual relationship with this patient for about two months that same year (May to July.)

Hryvniak ended the relationship and took a voluntary leave of absence  in August ‘06 as a result of the relationship. Hryvniak checked himself in to a treatment center in Kansas and underwent some major individual psychotherapy and medication management. It is not clear in the order what exactly was wrong with Hyrvniak.

These days, the doctor is attending AA meetings 3-4 times a week. He voluntarily stopped practicing in August during his leave of absence and hopes to practice again with the board’s go ahead.

Hryvniak was apologetic to the board and his profession, the order says.

So, the board has put this guy on indefinite probation.  If he wants to practice again he must win approval from the Executive Director of the Board of Medicine and have a “practice monitor” with whom he meets and discusses cases. Hryvniak must continue undergoing therapy and attend AA meetings. He also has to take some continuing education classes. Hryvniak will be reassessed in 18 months.

Child porn in Charlottesville

Gregory Briehl, a counselor in Charlottesville, had his licence indefinitely suspended by the Virginia Board of Counseling.

Briehl was convicted of 20 felony counts of possession of child pornography last December. He offered up his liscense just two months before his conviction and the order was made official in May.

Briehl spent six-and-a-half years as acting pastor at Peace Lutheran Church, according to an article in the local paper.

There were 400 pornographic images on Briehl’s computer, including 100 images of girls who might have been under 18.

Briehl kept the images because his life was stressful, the article said.