Psychologist who worked at Sault Area Hospital pleads guilty to professional misconduct allegations

A psychologist who practiced at the Sault Area Hospital has pleaded guilty to sexual abuse of a client, and failing to maintain the standards of his profession, in a hearing before the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario, January 6.

Frank Kane has also permanently resigned from the profession and agreed to never to provide mental health services ever again anywhere in the world.

During the hearing, representatives from the college heard in an agreed statement of facts, that Kane met the 16-year-old client when she was admitted to hospital in 2012.

He continued to treat her over the next couple of years, and the college heard that the relationship became inappropriate in early 2015.

The statement includes details that Kane bought her groceries, among other things, and had her stay at his home or cottage for periods of time, and he admitted to sexual abuse.

"I'm sorry, truly sorry, and sorry for all the trouble caused to the college and the individual," Kane said during the hearing.

"My intention was to help, not to harm, and somewhere I became lost in my efforts to help this person… I messed up and that's my admission of guilt and I'm sorry."

The complainant's name is protected by a publication ban.

Kane resigned as a psychologist in 2022.