South Carolina Psychologist Paul Rasmussen Reprimanded for Sex with Patient

October 21, 2024

On April 10, 2023, the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology reprimanded your colleague, Greenville psychologist Paul Rasmussen, for having a sexual relationship with a patient that spanned four years. 

The Board prohibited Rasmussen from practicing in a private setting; he may only practice at a state or federal health facility.

Background: In January 2020, the Board received a complaint alleging Rasmussen engaged in a romantic relationship with P.D., a former client.

P.D. became Rasmussen’s patient in 2004, primarily regarding issues in co-parenting and then continuing with general counseling. In 2006, P.D.’s husband joined her for marital counseling. The patient relationship continued until late June 2007.

In 2007, P.D. stated that her husband no longer attended therapy sessions and that she was considering a legal separation. As her individual sessions continued, P.D. stated that she and Rasmussen became “friendly and flirtatious.” Ultimately, P.D. stated that both parties acknowledged having romantic feelings, and they ended the counseling relationship.

Rasmussen stated he ended the therapeutic relationship when P.D. expressed romantic feelings and after he discouraged a romantic relationship. Further, Rasmussen stated that he transferred her to another counselor with P.D.'s agreement. After that, Rasmussen stated that he and P.D. reconnected “due to mutual friends and interests in Greenville, and after several brief interactions.”

P.D. stated that in March 2008, she had dinner with Rasmussen at his home and they engaged in sexual intercourse. P.D. stated that the relationship spanned four years.

Board members raised concerns regarding Rasmussen’s inability to understand that he engaged in flirtatious behavior when he said things to P.D. such as “You are the kind of person that I would find attractive” to before ending the therapeutic relationship. Rasmussen did not feel this was flirtatious. The Board found that Rasmussen did not appear to understand his part in the situation, nor did he take responsibility for the damage his actions caused.

Per the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology, Rasmussen's license expired on November 30, 2023, and is listed as lapsed.

Source: Final Order in the matter of Paul Ronald Rasmussen, License No. PSY.525, Case No. 2020-2, South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation before the South Carolina Board of Examiners in Psychology, April 10, 2023.