NSW tribunal extends banned psychologist’s suspension over patient misconduct
A NSW tribunal has extended child psychologist Benjamin French’s suspension for six months after upholding complaints about his conduct with a former patient and a colleague. The case matters because French has since set up a learning support service for children and teenagers with disabilities, including clients funded through the NDIS, despite being banned from practising psychology.
French treated the woman for 52 sessions between 2017 and 2020, then began an intimate relationship with her three months after treatment ended; tribunal evidence included about 9,000 text messages. It also heard he later advised her on obtaining an ADHD diagnosis and prepared a report despite no longer treating her, and that he shared sensitive information about NDIS clients with a colleague. French was first suspended in February 2025, and the tribunal’s October 6 judgment found he had shown “a reckless disregard” for professional obligations.
In short
- Tribunal extended Benjamin French’s suspension by six months.
- He had an intimate relationship with a former patient.
- French now runs learning support programmes for children with disabilities.
Explained simply
Psychologists provide mental health care and must follow professional rules that protect patients, including keeping appropriate boundaries when treatment ends. In NSW, the tribunal that hears professional conduct cases can restrict a psychologist’s right to practise.
The case concerns Benjamin French, a child psychologist who treated a woman over several years before starting an intimate relationship with her. The tribunal also considered his later advice and report for her, and his sharing of confidential information about clients with a colleague.
The NDIS funds support for eligible people with disability, including some children and teenagers. French has since established a learning support service for young people with disabilities, so the case raises questions about how a ban on practising psychology relates to other services he may provide.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Child psychologist was suspended for a’sexual in nature’ relationship – but now he’s teaching children on the NDIS”.