Nuguid, Sheena Naomi G.

PY – 41
Ethics in Psychology Case Study
THE STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE v. PETER DUSHAME
Date: November 4, 2002
Location: Supreme Court of New Hampshire Hillsborough
Facts: In July 2021, Peter Stone, a licensed counselor in North Conway, New Hampshire, was
accused of sexual assault by a female client. The client reported that after several months of
treatment, Peter Stone initiated inappropriate sexual contact. Further investigation uncovered a
shocking truth. Peter Stone was actually Peter Dushame, who had changed his name after serving
a prison sentence for a high-profile drunk driving accident case that resulted in the death of a 10-
year-old girl. New Hampshire is one of the 10 states that permits inmates to change their name
while incarcerated. Employers and law authorities may still access the inmates' criminal histories.
However, unless they visit the county courthouse where the change was approved or conduct
extensive research, the public has no way of finding out someone’s earlier identity. Due to this,
Peter Dushame was able to change his name to Peter Stone, who is now facing fresh accusations
over several years after being imprisoned under his previous name. Peter’s changing of identity
happened before obtaining his counselor's license.
Issues: The Peter Stone case exposes several critical vulnerabilities within the mental health
profession. First and foremost, it shines a harsh light on the importance of ethical conduct in
therapist-client relationships. Sexual contact between a therapist and client is a fundamental breach
of trust and exploits the structural power imbalance that exists within these professional dynamics.
This case also serves as a reminder of the inherent vulnerability of clients seeking mental health
support. Clients place immense trust in their therapists, relying on their expertise and guidance.
This reliance makes them particularly susceptible to manipulation or exploitation by a therapist
who abuses their position.
Furthermore, the revelation of Peter Stone's past criminal conviction raises serious questions about
the adequacy of background checks for licensed professionals. A more thorough screening process,
perhaps one that delves deeper into past aliases or name changes, might have identified this red
flag and prevented him from obtaining a license in the first place. This incident also highlights
potential loopholes within the licensing system itself. The unclear timeline surrounding Stone's
name change prior to licensure suggests that the process may not be enough to ensure public safety.
Specifically, Peter Stone's actions violated several ethical codes established for therapists by
organizations like the American Counseling Association (ACA) or the American Psychological
Association (APA). Here are the violations with regards to his case:
• Sexual Misconduct: Both the ACA and APA have strict codes prohibiting sexual or
romantic relationships between therapists and clients. This is because therapists hold a
position of power and trust, and any sexual contact exploits that power imbalance.
• Dual Relationships: Therapist-client relationships are supposed to be the sole focus of
 professional interactions. Engaging in any other type of relationship with a client, such
as a friendship or romantic involvement, is a violation of ethical codes.
• Impaired Professional Judgment: A therapist's personal issues should not interfere with
their ability to provide competent care. Peter Stone's past conviction for drunk driving
resulting in a child's death raises questions about his suitability to be a counselor,
especially considering the vulnerability of his clients.
• Exploitation: Therapists are ethically obligated to act in the best interests of their clients
and avoid exploiting them in any way. Sexual assault is a clear violation of this principle.
Decision: News reports don't mention a court case going to trial, but Peter Stone did face the
following consequences:
1) Loss of License: The state suspended his counseling license in December 2017, and he
voluntarily surrendered it in 2018.
2) Arrest: He was arrested in July 2021 on charges related to the sexual assault accusation.

Reference:
State v. Dushame, 136 N.H. 309, 616 A.2d 469 (N.H. 2002) Retrieved on: March 19, 2024