Wenatchee man warned to stop practicing physical therapy, naturopathy

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Wenatchee man warned to stop practicing physical therapy, naturopathy

By K.C. Mehaffey
World staff writer

Friday, January 11, 2013

WENATCHEE — A Wenatchee man who got a business license two years ago as a spiritual healer will be ordered by the state to stop posing as a physical therapist and naturopath.

James P. Barrett will be sent a “cease and desist” order from the state Department of Health to prevent him from practicing physical therapy or as a naturopath, the agency said.

James P. Barrett, 1263 Lorena Place, received a city business license in January 2011 as a “licensed spiritual healer.”

Barrett could not be reached to comment.

He told a Department of Health investigator who posed as a client that he was not a licensed doctor, but that he was internationally licensed as a Christian healer, said Department of Health spokeswoman Sharon Moysiuk.

She said after receiving an anonymous tip, the investigator approached Barrett as a potential client, and Barrett did provide a form that stated he wasn’t licensed, but referred to himself as “doctor.” She said he also did not charge a fee. “He told them it was a gift, but he did accept donations. But they were voluntary,” Moysiuk said.

Barrett did not see clients at an office, but apparently met them at their home, she said.

Moysiuk said the investigator was unable to find patients who were treated by Barrett. The investigator talked to local physical therapy offices and a couple of health food store owners to see if they had heard about Barrett, or if he was advertising at any of those locations, and no one knew anything about him, she said.

“As far as the Department of Health knows, no one was harmed,” she said.

After its investigation, the state sent Barrett a notice of its allegations that he was practicing medicine in the state of Washington without a license, she said. He isn’t licensed to practice under any medical licenses in Washington, she said.

When he did not respond, the state sent Barrett a notice in November that he will be ordered to “cease and desist,” she said. The agency issued a news release about the order this week.

K.C. Mehaffey: 997-2512

mehaffey@wenatcheeworld.com

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lonedog3 4 months, 1 week ago

He wasn't hurting anyone, was not scamming anyone why does the state feel they have to get involved in this and waste tax money? why not a cease and desist for the scam artists that get dropped off on the corners and intersections begging for money and harassing the drivers?

carol 4 months, 1 week ago

Mr. Barrett you can practice on me anytime. I don't care what the state says. Who gave the state a "license" to tell someone to stop helping people??

lovebeingamommy 4 months, 1 week ago

Truly, does the state have nothing better to do? What a waste of time! He CLEARLY indicated he wasn't a licensed doctor so referring to himself as a doctor should already have been completely understood. The man was honest enough to take out a business license even though he isn't charging anything! He has helped a lot of people with chronic pain and has great suggestions for natural remedies. Someone ought to feel ashamed for giving him a hard time!