Mohammad Yousuf, an award-winning Victorian psychologist, has been banned from practising for six years after admitting to serious professional misconduct involving vulnerable clients under his care. Between March 2021 and January 2022, he engaged in sexual contact with two clients he was treating, provided harmful advice to a third regarding self-harm, and breached patient confidentiality. The case represents a significant breach of professional ethics and trust that prompted the Psychology Board of Australia to take action through the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The misconduct involved three specifically named clients. With one client, Yousuf had sexual contact on three occasions after grooming her into a peer support worker role at the clinic where she was being treated. A second client received his personal contact details and was subjected to sexual contact on five occasions following treatment. A third client was advised to resume marijuana use against her wishes and was shown where to self-harm without visible scarring. Yousuf also disclosed confidential information about other patients without consent. He admitted all 12 counts of professional misconduct without contesting the allegations and is prohibited from any mental health services work until re-registration eligibility in August 2031. The misconduct came to light through notifications made in April and May 2022.