Summary
The Florida Board approved a settlement that reprimands licensed mental health counselor Harry Leon Morgan for dual relationships with a former client, ordering a $500 fine, cost repayment and continuing education requirements.
The Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling on Aug. 21 accepted a settlement with licensed mental health counselor Harry Leon Morgan resolving allegations that he engaged in a dual relationship with an individual identified in the administrative complaint.
The Department of Health prosecutor, Colleen Nolan, presented the settlement, saying Morgan hired the complainant to provide services and administrative support after first evaluating that person. Nolan said the conduct led to a statutory charge that Morgan failed to avoid dual or multiple relationships that could impair professional judgment or increase risk of harm.
Under the terms the board approved, Morgan’s license was reprimanded; he must pay a $500 fine within one year, reimburse Department costs of $5,147.55 within one year and complete 12 continuing-education hours within 90 days—six hours in ethics and boundaries, three hours in laws and rules, and three hours on dual relationships. Nolan asked the board to accept the settlement agreement and the board voted aye; the motion carried.
Morgan spoke briefly on the record, saying, “I acknowledge that what I did was wrong … I understand that now, and I certainly won’t do it again.” Board staff clarified that Morgan elected an informal hearing and did not dispute the allegations in the administrative complaint; that procedural clarification did not change the settlement terms.
Board members reiterated the heightened standards that apply when clinicians treat or supervise high‑risk populations and stressed the importance of boundaries and ethics in practice.
The board’s formal action was a vote to accept the settlement and enter the sanction package described above. The board also recorded recusal of one member from the matter and confirmed the action was properly noticed and recorded.
