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Psychologist Gary Schoener Headshot-Picsart-AiImageEnhancer.jpeg
#therapytoo

Gary R. Schoener, M.Eq 

Licensed Psychologist & Director of the Institute of Consultation & Training,
Walk-In Counseling Center, Minneapolis, MN


The WICC is a private non-profit founded in 1969, which utilizes the
volunteer services of mental health professionals to provide free,
confidential, "no-red-tape" counseling services to individuals &
families. In the early 1970s, among those who sought its services were
women who had been sexually exploited by therapists and counselors.


By the mid-1970's WICC started a therapy group for those women
victims, which led to requests to consult on cases, as well as
consultation nationally (and eventually worldwide). Gary was a
volunteer, and when paid staff were first hired in 1971 became a
community coordinator. From 1973 to 2010, he served as Executive
Director. After consulting in about 900+ cases, and having also
consulted with organizations, evaluated offenders, etc.

 

WICC published Psychotherapists Sexual Involvement With Clients:
Intervention & Prevention
(Schoener, Milgrom, Gonsiorek, Luepker &
Conroe, 1969). Minnesota made sexual exploitation of clients a felony
in 1985. When lawsuits against therapists began to increase Gary also began a forensic psychology practice and served as an expert witness or consultant in hundreds of cases, predominantly in the USA and
Canada.

​

This work, which eventually included male victims, victims of
clergy, and a variety of healthcare professionals, led to Gary being a
keynote speaker at conferences throughout the USA and Canada, as
well as Australia, Britain, Denmark, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, &
Switzerland.

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