Suspension issued for Issaquah psychologist following boundary violations with patients
The Washington State Examining Board of Psychology has placed Leafar Espinoza’s clinical license on hold after determining he engaged in multiple instances of unprofessional behavior during therapy sessions with two adolescent patients at a Issaquah-based child development center.
An agreed order, finalized in September, halts Espinoza’s active practice and prevents him from applying for license reinstatement for a minimum of two years from the effective date.
Before reapplying, he must settle a $5,000 civil penalty and fulfill requirements including ethics-focused coursework and specialized continuing education. Approval for return to work is not guaranteed and requires formal petitioning.
The board’s findings center on interactions with two minors seen while Espinoza was employed at The Center for Child Development. In one case, he initiated physical contact—rubbing a patient’s shoulders and upper back—during a scheduled session, prompting the individual to terminate treatment shortly thereafter.
Additional concerns involved the gifting of personal items and direct communication outside formal sessions. One patient received text messages from Espinoza, including one referencing a dream in which he appeared. The second patient described receiving therapeutic massage from Espinoza, as well as reciprocal self-disclosure through nighttime texts—some sent after 9 p.m.
Espinoza also directed the second patient to take Vyvanse, a Schedule II controlled substance, despite it not having been formally prescribed. According to board documentation, Espinoza provided dosage guidance and emphasized confidentiality surrounding the medication use. The patient confirmed having received the drug directly from him.
In its final assessment, the board determined the conduct rose to the level of unprofessional practice, citing several aggravating elements: the patients’ developmental stage and susceptibility, a clear breach of professional trust, demonstrable harm, recurring violations, and the unauthorized administration of controlled substances. No mitigating circumstances were identified.
Espinoza opted to resolve the matter through a stipulated agreement rather than contest the allegations at a formal hearing. His legal counsel reviewed and concurred with the terms. The parties acknowledged that sufficient evidence existed to support each charge if litigated, though the stipulated findings do not constitute formal admissions in unrelated proceedings.
To prepare for potential reinstatement, Espinoza must finish 12 hours of board-endorsed continuing education, with topics including boundary management with younger clients, adolescent harm-reduction strategies, ethical physical contact, and documentation standards. He is also required to successfully complete a Professional/Problem Based Ethics Course no more than three months before submitting a reinstatement petition.
Should his license be restored, he will enter a three-year probationary period. During this time, an approved clinician will oversee his caseload and review clinical notes—including session-external communications—for all minor patients. Additionally, the state Department of Health may conduct unannounced inspections of records up to four times annually, with a focus on documentation involving minors and digital correspondence such as email and text exchanges.