Social worker Laura Dowler faces allegations of sexual misconduct following an investigation by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.
Laura Dowler used her “position of authority to coerce, improperly influence, harass, abuse or exploit” clients between 2019 and 2022, despite knowing they were experiencing mental health challenges, alleges the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Dowler's lawyer says she denies the allegations.
In the meantime, Dowler is allowed to continue her social work, after entering into a voluntary agreement this month that she'll be overseen by a supervisor and will let the college know where she's working, according to the college's website.says Dowler works with clients experiencing mental health, relationship, complex trauma and dissociation issues, and specializes in clients who work as first responders.
If the discipline committee finds a social worker engaged in professional misconduct, penalties could range from a reprimand to revoking the individual's registration and ability to practise.Two of Dowler's clients were married in 2019 when she agreed to counsel them individually and also oversee their couple sessions conducted by another therapist, according to the college discipline committee's report.
Client B previously filed a complaint against Dowler with the college in 2021, alleging Dowler was in a conflict of interest when she provided them both with individual counselling as well as overseeing their couple's counselling, among other issues, the report says. CBC Hamilton spoke to Client B and agreed to keep her identity confidential due to the ongoing proceedings at the college and to not identify Client A — an alleged victim of sexual abuse by Dowler — without his permission.
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