Zaoui doctor facing questions over PhD

The Department of Corrections psychologist responsible for Ahmed Zaoui's care is facing questions over his qualifications.

Dr Ronnie Zuessman, who is the department's senior psychologist, has had his doctorate queried with the NZ Psychologists Board.

Dr Zuessman, who worked at Counties Manukau District Health Board until May last year, left for a job at Corrections, where he became Mr Zaoui's psychologist about a year ago.

The questions follow a recent parole board hearing during which lawyer Gary Gotlieb raised concerns over the way Dr Zuessman was giving evidence.

Mr Gotlieb asked for an adjournment, seeking time to examine Dr Zuessman's qualifications. He also wanted to look at the rules on giving evidence, after it emerged that Dr Zuessman was quoting from another psychologist's work.

Mr Gotlieb would not comment on the case but a spokesman for the Parole Board confirmed the hearing had been adjourned at the request of the inmate's lawyer for the purpose of "discovery/disclosure". The legal definition of "discovery" was the process of gathering information.

It is understood Mr Gotlieb has also notified the New Zealand Psychologists Board he will be laying a complaint, although has yet to formally do so.

Inquiries by the Herald On Sunday show Dr Zuessman is registered with the board, and lists his qualifications as:

* A doctorate in clinical psychology from Union Institute in 1981;

* A masters from Antioch University in 1979;

* A BA from Friends World College in 1976.

The Department of Corrections released a similar list of Dr Zuessman's qualifications that shows his masters as completed in 1978 and Dr Zuessman earning a professional diploma from Hofstra University in 1979.

While the Union Institute and University did not exist until 1989, it was previously known as the Union of Experimental Colleges and Universities, a collective of "distance learning" bodies that included Antioch University, Friends World College and Hofstra.

Associate professor Fred Seymour, at Auckland University and also on the psychologists' board, said a United States doctorate in clinical psychology would typically take four to five years. It was possible to finish a doctorate in a minimum of three years, he said.

The Union has faced criticism from mainstream academics in the United States. It has been placed "on notice" by its accrediting body, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, over its doctoral programme.

Among some unconventional doctorates it has awarded are PhDs for David Leffler for work on Consciousness-Based Military Defense - using meditation to bring world peace - and for Janae Weinhold's work on planetary psychology - using alchemy as a means to develop planetary conciousness.

 

Pamela Willenz, public affairs manager for the American Psychological Association, said the Union Institute was not accredited. "[Dr] Zuessman is not an APA member," she said.

The APA website states accreditation is to show universities meet "nationally endorsed standards in the profession".

Karen Crosby, registrar of the New Zealand Psychologists Board, said Dr Zuessman's qualifications were assessed at the time he was granted registration in New Zealand in 1993.

"He has been registered and he has several qualifications which were all taken into consideration at the time," she said.

Dr Zuessman said he was happy to discuss the issue with the approval of the Corrections' department. However, the department later stated he would not be available. But his boss, David Riley, director of psychological services, said the department ensured those who had overseas degrees were registered.

"All persons who apply for registration as a psychologist in New Zealand have their qualifications and experience considered by the Psychologists Registration Board. Dr Zeussman's qualifications were considered and he was registered by the Board."

Questions relating to the Union Institute have no relevance to the employment of Dr Zeussman, he said. Mr Riley said Dr Zuessman was a registered psychologist with New Zealands Psychologists Registration Board and was employed on that basis.