Hanna trauma expert accused of misusing ’psychologist’ title

A trauma expert who works with Hanna Boys Center faced disciplinary action in Massachusetts earlier this year for using a professional title that he is not licensed to practice, according to that state’s documents.

Robert D. Macy, founder and president of the International Trauma Center based in Beverly, Mass., outside of Boston, paid a civil fine of $500 to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for alleged violations against him that he was using the title “clinical psychologist” and “psychologist” without holding such license in Massachusetts or any other jurisdiction.

The Index-Tribune was unable to confirm where Macy received his undergraduate and graduate degrees and Macy did not respond to calls or emails as of press time Thursday.

The work that Macy was hired to do for Hanna Boys Center does not require a license, said Tom Coughlan, acting co-CEO of the center, and chief development officer.

“Dr. Macy, who resides in Massachusetts, is a respected expert in the field of trauma informed care, and consulted with Hanna Boys Center on establishment of the Hanna Institute, and our work on building healthier, more resilient communities,” Coughlan said. “Dr. Macy has provided our staff with training on best practices in identification, intervention and care for those impacted by trauma, including our Hanna students and victims of the North Bay fires.”

The complaint against Macy was filed in June 9, 2019, with the Massachusetts Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, Department of Professional Licensure Office of Investigations and assigned an investigator on July 10, 2019. The complaint said, “He misleads people by calling himself different variations of psychologist and has misled people about his education.”

In a bio of Macy on the International Trauma Center (ITC) website, the words “clinical psychologist” were removed, but the investigation shows them there on June 18, 2019. The investigation papers include several other examples of where Macy was described as a psychologist, including a report from the ITC called “Scope of Services for Hanna Boys Center.”

In the investigation papers, Macy’s attorney Paul Cirel responded to the allegations saying that the use of the title was “unintentional” and Macy “takes full responsibility, and apologizes to the board.” Cirel said the “information was added by contracted staff and not carefully reviewed by” Macy.

Cirel said Macy does not provide treatment services to clients “but rather he specializes in developing and implementing systems for trauma informed assessment, care and intervention…for which no license is required.”

The complainant has not been identified in records obtained by the Index-Tribune, which show an email exchange between the complainant and Alan Van Tassel, supervisor for the office of investigations.

On June 28, the complainant said, “What is so very concerning is that the California board said they can’t do anything even though (Macy) used the title psychologist in California. That board said I had to provide proof that he ‘acted as a psychologist’ over a certain time span.”

It is unclear if any complaints against Macy have been filed in any other jurisdiction.

“Hanna Boys Center was unaware of this complaint against Robert Macy, PhD., filed in 2019 in Massachusetts, until brought to our attention yesterday, Dec. 2, 2020. We understand the complaint was settled with payment of a $500 fine, and the matter is closed,” Coughlan told the Index-Tribune on Thursday. “His work and affiliation with Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, and as one of 12 members of former President Barack Obama’s Federal Advisory Commission on Children Exposed to Violence, speaks to his expertise and respect in the treatment of trauma, both in children and adults, amassed over three decades.”

Founded in 2016 the Hanna Institute, which is part of the Hanna Boys Center, was built around trauma informed care and conducts trainings and education to individuals and organizations on the benefits and how to practice it. Macy was an integral part of the development of the institute.

According to Macy’s bio he was “trained as a theatre artist, Taoist martial artist, dance movement therapist (DMT), traumatologist, and neuroscience researcher” and “is a founding member of the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), where he is a primary content provider for the development of Psychological First Aid, (PFA) and Skills for Psychological Recovery (SPR).”

Contact Anne at anne.ernst@sonomanews.com.