Type: Undertakings

Registrant: William Handley (Former Registrant No. 2014)

Date: February 9, 2023

Status: In Effect

Nature of Action: The Registrant voluntarily agreed to undertakings under section 36(1)(d) of the Health Professions Act placing restrictions on his practice of psychology. In particular, the Registrant agreed to a permanent restriction on his practice whereby he will not provide supervision services to other clinicians or co-sign assessment reports. Regarding his own practise of psychology, he agreed to only provide psychological services within his area of competence and where he has maintained proficiency through continuing education. If the Registrant would like to supervise others, co-sign reports, or begin working in an area of practice where he has not maintained proficiency in the future, he agreed to first notify the College and put that aspect(s) of his practice under regulatory supervision.

Reasons: The College received a written complaint against the Registrant related to an assessment for autism spectrum disorder that he co-signed with a non-registrant as the “Clinical Supervisor”. The Complainant alleged that the Registrant co-signed the report without having supervised the assessment. The Registrant acknowledged that it was a mistake to sign the report as he had only read the report after it had been completed and did not supervise any aspect of the assessment. He also acknowledged that he had not maintained his competency related to current standards for the assessment of autism spectrum disorder. The Registrant stated that he co-signed two reports related to the assessment of autism spectrum disorder and three related to the assessment of a learning disability without having supervised the assessments.

While the investigation was underway, the Registrant agreed to write letters to the five families whose reports he co-signed to inform them that he should not have co-signed their report as he did not supervise the assessment, that he does not have current competency related to the focus of the assessment, and that the results of the assessment may not be accurate. He also informed parents/guardians that if there are concerns about the accuracy of the assessment, that the child should be reassessed.

All public notifications pertaining to this registrant can be viewed by clicking the following
Return to All Public Notifications

The College mandate is to regulate the profession of psychology in the public interest by setting the standards for competent and ethical practice, promoting excellence, and taking action when standards are not met. The complaint process is an important part of ensuring quality and accountability in the provision of psychological services in British Columbia

Types of Public Notifications

Failure to Authorize a Criminal Record Check The Inquiry Committee may impose limits or conditions on, suspend, or cancel a registered psychologist if he/she fails to authorize a criminal record check pursuant to the Criminal Records Review Act.

Notice of Resignations During Investigation The College will notify the public if a registered psychologist has resigned his/her registration with the College during the investigation into a complain matter or during a discipline hearing.

Undertakings The registrant may enter into an agreement with the College for the purpose of resolving a complaint matter. These agreements may or may not contain admissions of wrongdoing (made by the registered psychologist). These agreements may involve a period of supervision and/or placing limitations on the registrant’s practice for a certain length of time in order to address the issues(s) identified in the complaint and investigation process. The College monitors these agreements to ensure compliance. Some agreements may be subject to extension.

Citations The College may send a registered psychologist a citation, which is a charging document that requires the Discipline Committee conduct a hearing into a complaint matter unless an undertaking agreement can be reached. Citations issues by the Inquiry Committee under section 37 of the Health Professions Act involved allegations which are and remain unproven unless admitted by a registrant or determined by the Discipline Committee.

Decisions of the Discipline Committee A decision report will be posted on the College website outlining the findings and/or actions taken against a registered psychologist after the Discipline Committee panel has conducted a discipline hearing.