Patient Says Shrink Dated His Ex-Wife, Gave Excuses

PONTIAC, Mich. (CN) - A man sued his longtime psychiatrist for dating his ex-wife, despite the doctor's alleged protestation that he - the doctor - "was in a loveless marriage; that his time was limited due to lung cancer; and that he wanted to experience happiness."

Steven Kay says he paid more than $87,000 for therapy with Dr. Harvey Rosenberg, a psychiatrist. Kay, 62, says he had been married for 13 years when his wife told him she wanted a divorce, in early 2001. He claims this brought on depression, suicidal thoughts and "a complete breakdown," and he became Rosenberg's patient in March 2001.

Kay says Rosenberg persuaded him to invite his wife to participate in therapy, and also began treating their son. But his wife insisted upon the divorce, and Kay says he became even more depressed.

He says he bought a rifle and told his wife he was going to "blow his brains out," and police found him later in his closed garage, inside his running vehicle.

Kay says Rosenberg continued to treat him and "ultimately advised him to accept the divorce." He claims that Rosenberg counseled him to agree to a divorce settlement, against his attorney's recommendations, and even referred his wife to an attorney.

Kay says he continued to see Rosenberg after the divorce in 2006. He says he repeatedly told Rosenberg that he hoped his ex would come back to him, that he was devastated to learn of her infidelity in the marriage, and that he had tried to date other women but found it impossible.

In 2009, Kay says, he got a call from his ex, who told him that she had been dating Rosenberg. Kay says he confronted the doctor, who "admitted that his actions were wrong. He told Mr. Kay that he was in a loveless marriage; that his time was limited due to lung cancer; and that he wanted to experience happiness," according to the complaint in Oakland County Court.

Rosenberg told him then "that he would no longer treat Mr. Kay as a patient. Not surprisingly, Mr. Kay no longer wanted to treat with Dr. Rosenberg anyway," the complaint states.

Kay seeks more than $25,000 for medical negligence. He is represented by Stuart Feldheim.

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