A banned psychologist who continued to practise in Albury and Wodonga, including visiting a sex abuse victim in her home and holding another woman's arm, has been hit with a massive fine.
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Brian Hickman has been slugged close to $90,000 in fines and costs in Albury and Wodonga courts.
He appeared in the Wodonga Magistrates Court on Wednesday, and was ordered to pay $30,000 in costs and undertake an 18-month community corrections order over multiple matters.
It followed an appearance in Albury Local Court last week where he was ordered to pay $59,176 in fines and legal costs for the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
Hickman has had a raft of serious problems in recent years.
The final straw for authorities came when he blew 0.40 on an alcohol test during a health assessment - the maximum result the device could show - on August 10, 2018.
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He had likely consumed alcohol that morning and had probably drank heavily in the months, or possibly even years, leading to the result.
His registration was suspended the following month in a bid to protect the public.
Despite the suspension he continued to offer psychological services.
In Albury, he visited the sex abuse victim, who had severe mental illness, in her home to treat her for sex addiction.
He provided similar services to another woman, which raised concerns of a support service worker.
Hickman contacted Centacare to discuss the services he was giving the woman, which immediately raised red flags at the organisation.
Centacare was giving support to the woman but didn't engage Hickman's services.
He told a staff member he was "assisting her around her sex drive and daily functioning", including shopping, and the employee reported the matter to AHPRA.
He referred to himself as a psychologist multiple times despite being banned from doing so.
He touched a patient on her arm during a meeting and cut her off when he spoke.
In Wodonga, he provided reports using the term "psychologist" despite his ban and also offered services for criminals.
Speaking after the Albury case was finalised, Psychology Board of Australia chairwoman Rachel Phillips said it was a positive outcome.
'Under the National Law, anyone who uses the term 'psychologist' to describe themselves must be registered - if their registration has been suspended, they cannot use the title," she said.
"This is crucial to protecting the public and maintaining the public's trust in our profession.
'This result sends a strong message - anyone who holds themselves out as a registered psychologist when they're not should expect to feel the full force of the law."
Ms Phillips said anyone with concerns about providers could check an online register of practitioners maintained by the health regulation authority.
