OLYMPIA, Wash. — A Whatcom County mental health counselor has now been barred permanently from practicing anywhere in the state after an inappropriate client relationship in 2017..
The Department of Health alleges Alana Ruth Karsch failed to maintain appropriate client-practitioner boundaries, and altered treatment records after she had been terminated from employment and an investigation had been authorized.
Charging documents alleged that Karsch accepted gifts and money from an unidentified client, and exchanged personal and intimate communications with another, including saying “I love you”.
Findatopdoc.com had listed Karsch as an “addiction medicine physician” practicing in Bellingham.
The state first suspended Karsch’s license in January pending investigation.
In September she reached agreement for permanent surrender of her credential.