Psychologist seeks court action regarding suspension of license

WARREN -- A Trumbull County psychologist is appealing the suspension of his license and asking that the Ohio Board of Psychology's action be put on hold until a court decides the case.
Dr. Douglas C. Darnall, a psychologist who did work at Trumbull County Family Court, filed an appeal Wednesday in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court. The pharmacy board suspended his license April 8.
He argues in the appeal, filed by Warren lawyer James A. Fredericka and Columbus attorney Benson A. Wolman, that the state board denied him due process, failed to conform its procedures and findings to law and didn't base its action on the substantive and reliable evidence -- instead accepting "hearsay evidence."
Darnall argues the state board is penalizing him "for adhering to orders of the judges of the Family Court of Trumbull County."
The case is assigned to Judge Andrew Logan.
The state board suspended his license from between six months and two years after finding Darnall violated the general rules of professional conduct.
In February 2000, he held an individual session with a client at his private practice and subsequently conducted a court-ordered evaluation on the client, the ruling states.
The ruling further notes that even though Darnall was aware of concerns expressed by the client and her counsel about his role as the court-appointed evaluator, he failed to remove himself from the evaluation.