From "UNION" , Sacramento, Ca - July 7, 1993
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UFOs, sex steam up bizarre psychologist malpractice suit

by Joanne Boyd

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Union Staff writer


Unidentified flying objects (UFOs), extraterrestrial experiences and
sexual misconduct figure prominently in several lawsuits filed against
a prominent Sacramento psychologist.

Two women have filed malpractice complaints in Superior Court against
Dr. Richard J. Boylan, alleging he interpreted their problems based on
his own interest in alien encounters. In both cases, the women say
Boylan told them that as children, they had experienced
extraterrestrial encounters.

Boylan is president of the Sacramento Valley Psychological Association
and a licensed clinical psychologist who maintains an office on O
Street.

According to the lawsuit, the psychologist allegedly invited both of
the women, Dorothy and Diana, to attend sessions of an evening therapy
group called CE-4 or Close Encounters of the 4th Kind, which met at
his house. Because of the sexual nature of the complaints, the
plaintiffs attorney requested their last names be withheld from
publication.

During these meetings, the lawsuit states Boylan told his clients
about noteworthy UFO events and how the United States government was
involved in an elaborate coverup of the extraterrestrial presence.

Boylan also is accused of sexual misconduct with Diana, involving nude
massages. The sexual intimacies stopped short of intercourse,
according to attorney Joseph George, who represents both women.

Because Diana viewed Boylan as a father-like figure, she was not able
to consent to his touching any more than a child could, George said.

"What he has done to these women is not treat the presenting prob-
lem," said George. "He also caused further damage with the ET phenom-
ena. He interpreted everything in their life in that context."

Now both Diana and Dorothy are extremely paranoid as the result of
their therapy with Boylan, the lawsuit states. Each woman became
convinced the CIA or FBI had an interest in them and was keeping
them under close surveillance.

Boylan's attorney, Rick Linkert said his client is engaged in
scientific research and wouldn't try to convince his clients that they
have had an ET experience because then his data would be based on
inaccurate information. He also said the bulk of Boylan's clientele
came to him for reasons that have nothing to do with ET issues.

"But because Dr. Boylan will treat people with ET experiences and not
automatically view them as delusional or fantasy, this makes him an
absolute target for lawsuits," said Linkert. He added there is a
tremendous spectrum of beliefs among researchers. Many noted
psychologists are investigating unusual phenomena such as near-death
experiences. Although Boylan would not discuss the specifics of the
lawsuits, he denied the allegations, referring to them as "false,
slanderous and libelous."

On the other hand, the psychologist is outspoken in his belief in
extraterrestrial influences. As the author of a book published last
year, "Extraterrestrial Contact and Human Responses," Boylan said he
is one of a growing number of psychologists who treat clients who have
had such experiences.

"Some clients come with absolutely clear recall of the ET experience,
while others have just enough recall to know something has happened to
them," said Boylan. "They come to me because they have had such an
experience and want to share it with someone."

However, according to George, Boylan shared more than the ET experi-
ence with his clients. The complaint states he invited one of the
women to a UFO conference in Las Vegas where he encouraged her to
address the convention and write her story for publication in his
upcoming UFO book. He also is said to have sat nude with her in a hot
tub and provided "body work" through massage and sexual touching.

Additionally, a third Sacramento woman, Karen, has filed a lawsuit
against Boylan which doesn't involve any UFO experiences but alleges
sexual misconduct.

According to George, sexual misconduct among psychologists is grossly
under-reported.

Unlike other professions, by their very nature, psychological therapy
sessions are difficult to monitor, said George. Because clients are
emotionally dependent on the therapist, there's an imbalance in the
relationship and once the boundry is broken, the damage is done.
"Clients are very vulnerable and are often too embarrassed to reveal
these events," he said. "They blame themselves, not the therapist."

George said because 8 percent to 10 percent of licensed male
psychologists have had sex with their clients, safe-guards have been
enacted to address this problem. A bill recently passed under Civil
Code Section 49.93 prohibiting sexually contact between a client and
therapist for two years after the termination of therapy.

George added his clients sought counsel from Boylan, not because of
extraterrestrial experiences, but because of traumatic "this world"
injuries that included a violent rape. "They had some very horrible,
unfortunate events on this earth. The ET was strictly his agenda,"
said George. "It would be analogous to a patient presenting with a
serious cardiac condition and the physician treating him for a
sprained wrist."

Also, the women who have filed suit against Boylan are low-income
clients who were told he would treat them at a reduced rate or for
free.

Despite the allegations against him, Boylan said he intends to go
forward with both his practice and his research on ET phenomena.

"It's a highly exotic realm, but the pieces fit together," the
psychologist said, adding he is convinced a government coverup exists.
"ETs come and go and will - and the government is not comfortable
admitting they can't do a damn thing about it," said Boylan.

"There is some contact and sharing of technology between the
government and ETs, and the government has recovered downed saucers,"
he added. "The government should come clean with why there's a need to
make this so highly classified."

Boylan's second book on close extra-terrestrial encounters is due out
this fall.

The California Psychological Association, a professional group to
which Boylan belongs, has no record of the complaints alleged in the
lawsuits or any other complaints being filed against Boylan, a
spokesman said.


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