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Hollywood Center Faces Fallout for Hiring Unlicensed Therapist

9/11/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Grief TREE, a Hollywood mental health center, employed unlicensed therapist Laura Rickles for 10 months, treating 14 patients.
Owner Lisa Zucker faces a one-year license suspension and fines for this violation.
Zucker trusted Rickles' claim of being qualified to provide art therapy services.
Zucker aimed to expand the practice to support individuals grieving personal losses.
Since 2008, Zucker has maintained a clean disciplinary record.

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Story summary

Grief TREE, a Hollywood mental health center, employed unlicensed therapist Laura Rickles for 10 months, treating 14 patients.
Owner Lisa Zucker faces a one-year license suspension and fines for this violation.
Zucker trusted Rickles' claim of being qualified to provide art therapy services.
Zucker aimed to expand the practice to support individuals grieving personal losses.
Since 2008, Zucker has maintained a clean disciplinary record.