Controversial Portland psychologist to visit Tri-City supporters for fundraiser

A Tri-City fan of a controversial Portland psychologist who specializes in reactive detachment disorder plans a legal defense fundraiser today.

Shari Nakakura of Kennewick organized the event on behalf of Debra “Kali” Miller at 5:30 p.m. today at Eastlake Tri-Cities, 1300 Jadwin Ave, in Richland.

Donations of $10 for adults or $20 for families are recommended. The event includes an auction, potato bar and talk by Miller, who is fighting to get her professional license reinstated.

The Oregon Board of Psychologist Examiners voted unanimously to revoke Miller’s license in 2015. Regulators moved against Miller after reviewing her treatment of a young patient who later attempted suicide. The decision has been upheld by two administrative law judges.

Miller is appealing the board’s decision to the Oregon Court of Appeals, saying she was unfairly held accountable for actions beyond her control.

Nakakura said she was incensed by what she calls regulatory overreach and wanted to help Miller, whom she credits with successfully helping her adopted daughters overcome attachment issues. Nakakura said she was overwhelmed by her daughter’s rage issues when a random connection put her in touch with Miller.

She and her daughters made 22 trips for treatment and faithfully followed Miller’s recommendations to promote parent-child bonds. “It was very successful,” she said. “Someone with her expertise is very difficult to find.”

The Oregon regulatory board issued a detailed news release in March 2015 explaining its decision to revoke Miller’s license.

It said her treatment of an 11-year-old boy with significant behavior issues “posed a significant risk of harm to the child, breached ethical standards, and constituted immoral or unprofessional conduct or gross negligence in the practice of psychology.”

In her appeal, Miller asserts she did not recommend the controversial treatments attributed to her and notes she stopped seeing the patient at least six months before he attempted to take his life.

Miller will share her story alongside Prince, her miniature therapy horse.

Miller has raised $4,075 to cover legal fees through the crowd funding site Go Fund Me.

This story was originally published March 22, 2016 at 4:50 PM with the headline "Controversial Portland psychologist to visit Tri-City supporters for fundraiser."