BAKERSFIELD, CA - A local marriage and family therapist is accused of having a sexual relationship with one of his patients, which could result in the loss of his license.
If the accusations are true against Russ Sempell, officials say it would be in violation of state rules and code of ethics. State regulators say the relationship with the patient began in 2005 and ended in 2009 when the woman reported it.
Sempell is with the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
The accusation was filed about a year ago. A ruling on the matter by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences has not been issued.
