A psychologist who sent a series of aggressive messages to a patient, including telling anti-vaxxers they should stop, has been banned from applying for his registration for six months by Queensland’s administrative tribunal.
Kirsten McArthur, who practiced between 2010 and 2022, began messaging a patient she had seen for almost a decade on Facebook in 2021.
“Is your daughter-in-law (sic) now…? I didn’t know she was married to your son? Is she still a stupid pensioner with no anti-vaxxing skills and children for other people putting your life and your grandchild in danger?,” the comment read.
He texted the patient several times between October 2021 and January the following year.
“Hey …, did you get the late mother of your grandson (sic) to get vaxxed yet??? Anti vaxxers (sic) should be exterminated. This planet has no room for them,” one said.
Another message focused on patient relationships.
“I hope you have a good Christmas … Maybe it’s a good time to reflect on your life and try to understand why you had such a relationship with such a strange show … You need to take a more assertive role and … I’m sorry but he’s a selfless idiot … take control … stop being a doormat … please?” McArthur wrote on December 11, 2021.
McArthur accused the patient of being a “dolebludger” and committing fraud by receiving Centrelink payments.
“I am reporting you to Centrelink. YOU ARE A FAKE F**KING. You actually CAN work AND you DON’T and I find that disgusting. Get a life and GET A JOB TO BE A HUGE WASTER and stop wasting my taxes!!! You are so lazy… I knew that from the first time I met you,” he wrote in January 2022.
“Your lovely FB was your downfall. I recorded ALL your activities to show how busy a bee you can be so YOU CAN clean the toilets dolebludger oh well TOO LATE YOU WILL LOSE EVERYTHING,” McArthur said in the following message.
The patient testified to the board that the messages only stopped after she blocked McArthur on Facebook.
Their daughter said McArthur’s actions had serious consequences for the patient, including the development of acrophobia and fear of starting treatment with a new psychologist.
Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal it also found that McArthur had practiced without third-party coverage for seven months in 2020 and 2021, and had lied about being insured on a renewal form he filled out in 2021.
He renewed his cover in July 2021, but lied that he had been booked for the entire previous period when he applied for a new registration in November 2021.
In the decision the board noted that McArthur was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had been going through serious personal issues, including the loss of his job and the death of his mother.
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