A Henderson city councilwoman’s representations that she’s a “clinical and forensic psychologist” and a “clinical and forensic psychologist by trade” may run afoul of California and Nevada licensing laws in both states.

An attorney in California who represents people charged with professional licensure violations — a crime punishable by jail — said it is illegal for a person without a license to represent themselves as such. And the president of the Nevada Psychological Association said it is also a crime in Nevada.

Monica Larson, councilwoman for Henderson’s Ward 2, would not directly answer the 8 News Now Investigators’ questions about whether she is a psychologist. California’s Department of Consumer Affairs said it “doesn’t have a record of anyone with that name being granted a license to practice as a psychologist in California.” The department said Larson’s only relevant licensure is that of “psychological associate.”

And the Nevada Psychological Association has no affiliation with Larson, and she has never been a member of the organization, its president, Christopher Shewbarran, told the 8 News Now Investigators.

“If she is representing herself as a Psychologist currently in Nevada or has conducted clinical practice in Nevada and she is not licensed, this should be reported to Nevada’s Board of Psychological Examiners as this violates Nevada law,” Shewbarran said in a written statement.

Shewbarran explained some of the rigorous general licensing requirements to hold the title of psychologist.

“Licensing requirements for Psychologists do vary from state to state, but generally speaking, an individual must obtain a doctoral degree in psychology from a program accredited by the American Psychological Association or demonstrate that their program meets equivalency of an APA-accredited program, complete supervised training involving supervised experience under the guidance of a licensed doctoral-level psychologist, and pass the Examination for Professional Practice,” Shewbarran said.

Larson, through a spokeswoman, claims to have met most of those requirements, including receiving undergraduate degrees, a master’s degree and a doctorate. On her 2024 campaign web page and through her spokeswoman, Larson clarified some of her professional background but did not address her licensure.

“Dr. Monica Larson completed her extensive academic studies and successfully defended her dissertation, earning her title as doctor,” Elizabeth Trosper, Larson’s publiclist, said. “Dr. Monica Larson worked for years under the license of psychologist Dr. Ekerette Essien. Dr. Larson voluntarily cancelled her registration to be licensed in the state of California as she was relocating to Nevada and retired from psychology. Your attempt to invalidate Dr. Larson’s academic credentials, slander her name, and stalking her is continued harassment.”

Larson’s campaign website bio and Trosper refer to clinical work Larson did for Ekerette Essien, a licensed California psychologist.

Essien had glowing reviews of Larson as a psychology professional, saying she’s “brilliant,” “very very highly skilled,” has “remarkable ambition” and “is a star.”

“Monica was licensed with the board of psychology as a registered psychologist under me,” Essien told the 8 News Now Investigators.

Essien also said, “She worked as a forensic psychologist and whatever she says on her resume is what she is,” and said, “Monica is one of the most respected people in this field.”

Nicole Valentine, an attorney at the California law firm Goyette Ruano Thompson, represents people charged with violating state licensure laws. She said the California Business Code forbids someone from claiming to be a psychologist if they do not have the proper license.

“It’s not okay,” Valentine told the 8 News Now Investigators. “It misleads if you don’t have the license. And you don’t want to mislead the public because again these licensing agencies — even if you’re not currently licensed — could go after you for potentially unlicensed practice even though you’re ‘practicing,’ you’re using the credentials.”

Valentine also pointed out the public policy aspect of a psychologist accurately representing his or her credentials.

“A lot of these licensing boards, their number one concern is protecting the public.”

Dr. Craig Kain, a licensed California psychologist, also underscored the importance of protecting the public.

“You haven’t completed what you need to do to be an effective and competent and ethical professional,” Kain told the 8 News Now Investigators. “You wouldn’t want to go see a lawyer that hadn’t passed the bar.”

Kain continued, explaining that the psychology licensure requirements — including passing the state exam, better known as the boards — are rigorous. And he has recurring continuing education requirements to maintain his license.

“If you’re not licensed, you cannot call yourself a psychologist,” Kain said. “That’s actually a protected term in the state of California. So really, anybody who is calling themselves a psychologist who has not passed the licensing exam, that’s just illegal in the state of California and also an unethical thing to do.”

Larson, when approached by the 8 News Now Investigators, did not answer any questions and instead a paid security detail stood in the way of the news crew and the councilwoman.

Originally posted at https://www.8newsnow.com/investigators/henderson-councilwomans-claim-to-psychology-trade-comes-without-a-license/