Indiana Psychologist Julie Hoeppner Disciplined for Intimate/Sexual Phone Calls to Inmate--a Former Patient

September 15, 2017

On September 14, 2017, the Indiana State Psychology Board placed psychologist Julie E. Hoeppner on indefinite probation for no less than two years. This was based on Hoeppner having engaged in sexual intimacies with a former patient within two years following the termination of treatment.

According to the stipulated facts contained in the Board’s Proposed Settlement Agreement, from approximately December 1, 2011 until April 25, 2014, Hoeppner was employed through a contractor as a psychologist at the Wabash Valley Correction Facility in Carlisle, Indiana. During this time, facility officials allegedly lost confident in Hoeppner’s judgment and objectivity.

On April 25, 2014, Wabash Valley officials issued a “gate closure” on Hoeppner, which meant she was no longer permitted to enter the facility. She was terminated by the contactor on the same day.

In September 2014, an inmate to whom Hoeppner had provided counseling while at Wabash Valley, was transferred to New Castle Correctional Facility and then to Pendelton Correctional Facility

As part of an investigation by the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) at Pendelton, the inmate’s telephone communications were reviewed. In reviewing the calls (approximately 900), IDOC discovered and ongoing personal/romantic relationship between Hoeppner and the inmate, involving phone calls in which sexual intimacies between her and the inmate were discussed.

The Board’s document points out that the gate closure and subsequent termination was due to Hoeppner advocating for certain offenders from the mental health unit to be removed from segregation—advocacy which was against IDOC’s position.

On December 31, 2019 the Indiana State Psychology Board lifted the probation ton Hoeppner's license after she presented evidence of having complied with the Board's terms and conditions. 

Source: Final Order Accepting Proposed Settlement Agreement in the Matter of the License of Julie Ellen Hoeppner, Psy.D., HSPP, License No. 20042573A, Indiana State Psychology Board, Cause No. 2016 ISPB 0006, Sept. 14, 2017.