BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — A Bakersfield psychiatrist surrendered his physician’s license this month after an allegation of sexual misconduct with a patient, according to the state Medical Board.

The surrender of Sean Andrew Sassano-Higgins’ license took effect Tuesday, according to medical board documents.

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Although Sassano-Higgins said he stopped treating the patient — identified only as “Patient A” — before they began a sexual relationship, the board notes in an accusation brought against the doctor that he wrote prescriptions for her months later.

“(Sassano-Higgins) placed his own self-interest in seeking gratification through a sexual relationship with Patient A ahead of the welfare of Patient A, who continued to require treatment for psychiatric disorders,” according to the accusation.

In October 2019, Sassano-Higgins began treating a patient with a history of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder. They had multiple appointments and in spring 2020 the patient said she was sexually attracted to him, according to the accusation.

They began exchanging emails. The patient asked if they could continue to see each other if she asked for a referral to another doctor. Sassano-Higgins told her if she saw another provider they wouldn’t see each other again, the accusation says, and said they could “navigate through the tension.”

On June 24, 2020, the patient emailed him asking if he would write a sexual fantasy about her, according to the accusation.

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“Happy to do this if you think it would be helpful,” Sassano-Higgins responded according to the accusation.

He didn’t document their email exchanges in his records, the accusation says.

Their final appointment occurred in July 2020. Sassano-Higgins told her they could be friends, according to the accusation, and wrote in his records that he and the patient agreed she no longer needed psychotherapy.

They began a sexual relationship five days later, the accusation says.

Sassano-Higgins later admitted to a sexual relationship that continued at least through summer 2020, according to the accusation.

Despite documenting he no longer treated the patient after their relationship began, he wrote prescriptions for her in September 2020, the accusation says.

The patient started going to another therapist where she reported the sexual relationship “caused her continuing emotional distress and an exacerbation of her psychological conditions,” according to the accusation.

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Filed last year, the accusation alleged the following: sexual misconduct with a patient, sexual exploitation, gross negligence, repeated negligent acts, inadequate or inaccurate recordkeeping and unprofessional conduct.

“(Sassano-Higgins) exploited information and trust obtained during the treatment of Patient A by engaging in inappropriate email communications with her, encouraging Patient A to continue treatment with him after she requested to be transferred to another care provider, and engaging in a sexual relationship with Patient A immediately following the abrupt termination of their patient-physician relationship,” the accusation says.

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