Psychologist who stole a Karen Walker dress found guilty of professional misconduct

The psychologist admitted cutting a tag off the dress by Karen Walker (pictured) and putting it in her handbag in 2014. Photo / File

The psychologist who shoplifted a Karen Walker designer dress has had conditions placed on her practice by a disciplinary tribunal.

She has also been granted permanent suppression of her name.

After finding the Auckland psychologist guilty of professional misconduct today, the Health Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal issued its penalty ruling.

It censured her and imposed conditions including up to three years supervision of her clinical practice and that she do training on self-reflection and supervision.

The tribunal also ordered her to pay $10,000 as a contribution of around 12.5 per cent towards the costs of the prosecuting committee and the tribunal.

The woman has admitted cutting a tag off the dress and putting it in her handbag in 2014.

A shop assistant stopped her after an alarm rang as she left the shop and the $276 dress was spotted in her bag.

Police were called and the woman received a formal caution but was not prosecuted.

The psychologist later apologised to the shop and paid $257 for the dress as it had been destroyed by the removal of the tag.

The shop cannot be named due to suppressions, but the incident did not occur in a Karen Walker store.

A Psychologists Board committee charged her with professional misconduct over matters including failures to discuss with her employer the shoplifting caution and a drunk-driving conviction.

The tribunal found the psychologist guilty of professional misconduct and of doing something - the shoplifting incident - that was likely to bring discredit to her profession.