Licensed counselor testifies she exchanged texts with patient; employer dismissed her July 17, 2023

Ms. Penland, a licensed alcohol and drug counselor, testified at a state disciplinary hearing that she exchanged text messages with a patient and acknowledged the conduct was a mistake that crossed professional boundaries. The texts occurred in July 2023, and she confirmed she was dismissed by her employer, Connecticut Renaissance, on July 17, 2023.

The charges at the hearing center on whether the counselor violated professional-boundary standards by using personal electronic communication with a current patient. The hearing record shows Penland conceded that responding to the patient’s texts was wrong: "Yes. I did," she told the panel when asked if replying to the messages was an error in judgment. Later she added, "I misstepped. I agree. I agree that I misstepped. But I had no ill intention."

The Department’s questioning and documents entered as exhibits established several time and personnel details. Penland said she began working at Connecticut Renaissance in early March 2023 (an offer letter in the record is dated March 6, 2023) and that she worked there about six months before being dismissed on July 17, 2023. She also confirmed she is licensed by the Connecticut Department of Public Health as a licensed alcohol and drug…