A clinical psychologist has lost his state license after he billed the state for performing an exorcism on a boy brought to him for treatment by Arizona Child Protective Services (CPS).
Phoenix psychologist Ken Olson, 63, who is also an ordained Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) minister, was censured for unprofessional conduct in treating a child believed to have been the victim of satanic ritual abuse.
Richard Morris, chairman of the state Board of Psychologist Examiners, which voted 8 to 0 to revoke the license, criticized Olson, who has an 11-year history of performing exorcisms. “What I found you doing was using a technique on a minor that did not have a choice,” Morris said. “You were using a ritual on someone who had already been ritually abused.” Olson billed the state $180 for a two-hour counseling session that included the exorcism.
The 10-year-old boy, who was abused and tortured by his natural parents, according to state records, says the exorcism worked. His foster mother indicates his violent outbursts have ceased.
Olson, a national speaker on satanic ritual abuse, says he may appeal the board’s decision. “The child’s own CPS counselor knew who I was and that I recommended exorcism.”
In 1988, Olson was placed on probation by the same board for performing an exorcism on a 16-year-old boy who had robbed six banks. “He made a financial pact with the Devil,” Olson says. “I had to get him to renounce that pact.” However, the boy robbed another bank and is now in prison.
Olson combines psychological techniques, ritual prayer, anointing oil, a crucifix, and “holy water” in exorcisms. But Mike Adams, dean of theology at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Seminary in Tacoma, Washington, says the ELCA does not condone the use of “props” such as “holy water” in prayer. “What we teach and believe is thoroughly scriptural.”
Olson was forced to resign from pastoring his former church because of his pro-exorcism stance.
By Perucci Ferraiuolo.
