[{"_1":2,"_85":-5,"_86":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6559807,"mediaKeyId","5591891-4f6d43b81a5e20a43ec926c1c740d953","parentId",5591891,"title","Board suspends Grief Tree owner Lisa Zucker for hiring unlicensed therapist; $1,000 fine, CE and probation ordered","audioSeconds",2577,"startMs",903000,"endMs",3480000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5591891-4f6d43b81a5e20a43ec926c1c740d953&start=903&end=3480","thumbnailUrl","https://d352y6ypj4mjo3.cloudfront.net/AudioPlaceholder.png","articleUrl","/articles/6559807/Florida/Board-suspends-Grief-Tree-owner-Lisa-Zucker-for-hiring-unlicensed-therapist-1000-fine-CE-and-probation-ordered","mediaUrl","author","Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling","date","2025-05-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling found that Lisa Michelle Zucker, LCSW and owner/executive director of Grief Tree, permitted an unlicensed individual, identified in the investigative record as Laura Rickles, to provide psychotherapy and related clinical services at her practice for approximately nine months.

The Department of Health presented an investigative report and an administrative complaint alleging that Ms. Zucker aided, assisted, procured, employed or advised the unlicensed individual to practice clinical social work, marriage and family therapy, and mental health counseling without proper registration. The materials the board considered included employment contracts, patient records that contained assessments, treatment plans and clinical documentation attributed to the unlicensed provider, and the respondent’s written statements.

Respondent counsel described personal mitigating circumstances — including bereavement and business growth challenges — and described steps the practice has taken since the incident: revised hiring and background-check procedures, new supervisory arrangements, monthly case consultation and updated standard operating procedures. Counsel also highlighted respondent’s cooperative engagement with the department and prior history with no discipline.

Board members discussed harm to clients, the need to deter unlicensed practice, and the appropriate sanction range under the board’s disciplinary guidelines. The board adopted the conclusions of law that the conduct constituted a violation of the practice act. The board decided a sanction short of revocation was appropriate in light of mitigating circumstances and corrective measures. The board voted to impose the following discipline:

- A reprimand and an administrative fine of $1,000, payable within two years (board amended initial timing to align with probation);
- One year suspension of the Florida license followed by one year of probation;
- During the probationary period, the respondent must complete 18 hours of continuing education (10 hours ethics, 8 hours Florida laws and rules) within one year; and
- Costs in the amount of $2,003.88 to be paid within two years as a condition of probation.

The board also directed that the respondent follow the rule requiring a disciplined qualified supervisor to notify supervisees and to terminate supervisory relationships as required when a final order is filed. A final order will reflect these conditions and the enforcement timelines.

Board members said the sanction aims to protect patients, hold the licensee accountable for oversight responsibilities, and preserve access to grief‑specialty services while ensuring safeguards were put in place.","mediaType","Audio","parentTitle","General Business Meeting May 15, 2025 Part 2","oneSentenceSummary","The board found owner Lisa Zucker (LCSW) violated the practice act by permitting an unlicensed provider to treat patients at Grief Tree. The board voted to suspend her license for one year, followed by one year of probation, ordered a $1,000 fine, 18 continuing-education hours and payment of costs.","taxTitle","Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling, Board of, Executive , Florida","taxId",27089,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":50,"_51":82,"_53":-5,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6559811,"Board accepts amended settlement with Lawrence Ford; license reprimanded, fine and probation ordered",604,16000,620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5591891-4f6d43b81a5e20a43ec926c1c740d953&start=16&end=620","/articles/6559811/Florida/Board-accepts-amended-settlement-with-Lawrence-Ford-license-reprimanded-fine-and-probation-ordered","The Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling approved an amended settlement in the disciplinary matter of licensee Lawrence Ford, issuing a formal reprimand and requirements intended to address practice shortfalls.

Under the approved settlement, Ford’s license was reprimanded and he must pay an administrative fine of $4,000 within one year. He must complete 43 hours of continuing education within 120 days: 8 hours on dual relationships, 8 hours on boundary issues, 8 hours on ethics, 8 hours on substance abuse, 8 hours on suicide assessment/prevention, and 3 hours on laws and rules. The board placed Ford’s license on probation for two years with 50% record review monitoring. Probation may be terminated after one year but requires board approval; early termination is not automatic. Ford must also pay $4,000 in costs within one year.

Board members discussed whether Ford should retain the designation that allows him to serve as a qualified supervisor for interns. Members proposed and carried a counteroffer amending the settlement to remove Ford’s qualified‑supervisor status for the period of his probation (a temporary restriction tied to the probationary term). The amended settlement was adopted by vote and a final order will be issued consistent with the terms the board approved.

Board staff noted the settlement was reached after respondent elected a formal hearing but subsequently agreed to the settlement terms. The board accepted the investigative report and the written materials submitted by counsel in support of the settlement.

The board’s action was procedural: it accepted a negotiated settlement with an added restriction on supervision to address public‑protection concerns while allowing the licensee to continue practicing under monitored conditions.","The Florida board approved a modified settlement in the disciplinary case of Lawrence Ford, issuing a reprimand, a $4,000 administrative fine, continuing-education requirements, a two-year probation with monitoring, and removing his qualified‑supervisor designation for the probation period.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board suspends Grief Tree owner Lisa Zucker for hiring unlicensed therapist; $1,000 fine, CE and probation ordered

Board accepts amended settlement with Lawrence Ford; license reprimanded, fine and probation ordered