This public page serves as a formal Response to https://health.ri.gov/discipline/MTJonathanMattingly2.pdf

On May 26, 2019 an action was filed with the State of Rhode Island Department of Health, stating that Jonathan Mattingly, operating as a Massage Therapist in Providence RI under License Number MT01438, enagaged in unprofessional conduct with a client, and stipulating a suspension to his license pending review.

This process was completed on June 3, 2020, resulting in a Consent Agreement signed by the defendant, acknowledging the jurisdiction of the state, and an agreement to reinstate licensure, under the stipulation that he complete a period of probation and supervision in accordance with the tenets of the state Board of Massage therapy.

That document can be located here: https://health.ri.gov/discipline/MTJonathanMattingly2.pdf

What that document does not outline, are any details of the investigation, nor any account of the incident, outside of the summary declaration that several professional ethical standards were violated. Unfortunately, a link to that document is also being highly ranked in Google’s search algorithm, featured prominently in several searches centered upon the defendant’s name. No effort has been made by the Department of Health to correct this, or amend the filing, despite several important, omitted details of the case, and other relevant determinations made during the process of investigation.

The following is an attempt to correct this, for anyone who may be interested.

What follows is language that has also been submitted to the National Practitioner Data Base by the defendant. It was written by the defendant, is in the 1st person, and is provided here verbatim, with no alterations:

The person in question here, is someone I have known for over a decade. During that time, I made several romantic overtures to her, none of which were reciprocated. Despite this, when I invited her to my home for a massage, she proceeded to lay upon my table naked, declining to get under the table dressings when I suggested she do so. Everything that followed from there happened with her verbal consent, or what I believed to be her verbal consent. When that consent was withdrawn, I did not proceed. When she appealed to the state department responsible for my licensure, I agreed to a period of probation, without contest, out of respect for their obligation to my profession's ethics and public safety, as well as to help confirm my professional character. As part of that arrangement, I agreed to undergo a forensic psychological evaluation to assess my fitness to practice. I am including language from the conclusion of that report here. I acknowledge that my decisions are my own responsibility, and not a consequence of her own. I also acknowledge that there is some reason to view this matter in a professional context, as I was requesting feedback of my work in preparation for re-establishing my professional practice, which I had not been engaged in for some years. I completed the terms of my probation in April 2022. There have been no other incidents of concern either in or beyond the actual offices of my professional practice. I have been productively engaged with ongoing counseling since June of 2021.

From the report:

Conclusions:

1. Is the practitioner fit to practice? The results of this forensic psychological evaluation were found to be consistent with reports from other data sources, collateral interviews, and with non-self-report data provided by the RI Board of Health. Mr. Mattingly participated in this evaluation in a forthright and cooperative manner, and there was no evidence to suggest that he was misrepresenting or manufacturing his account of his experiences, behaviors, symptoms, or psychological distress. In addition, Mr. Mattingly has made every effort to comply with the requests of the RI Board of Health, and has both taken responsibility and expressed remorse for his misconduct and its impact on the complainant. Throughout the course of the evaluation, Mr. Mattingly demonstrated an understanding of the ways in which he inappropriately violated professional standards and ethics, and demonstrated a consistent willingness to comply with any recommendations arising out of this evaluation. It is my professional clinical opinion that although Mr. Mattingly engaged in professional misconduct that clearly violated the ethics and standards of his profession, and that Mr. Mattingly has some gaps in his knowledge of professional ethics and boundaries, he is able to return to the practice of massage therapy with appropriate supports in place. …

2. Is it safe for patients to see the practitioner in his/her present condition? ... It is my professional clinical opinion that there is no indication of major psychological impairment that would impact Mr. Mattingly's ability to perform all essential functions of his position and that he is psychologically capable of returning to work at the present time.

3. How likely is it that the practitioner will re-offend? It is my professional opinion that there is a low likelihood that Mr. Mattingly will re-offend provided he follow through with the above recommendations for psychotherapy and additional training and supervision in the areas of ethics, professional practice, and boundaries. There is no evidence in this evaluation or in Mr. Mattingly's history, of sexual violence, other criminal behavior, substance abuse, or psychopathy, any of which are statistically associated with a higher risk of re-offending.

From: Summary of Forensic Psychological Evaluation Jonathan D. Mattingly 01/17/2020 [NAME DELETED (ND)], Ph.D. Clinical and Forensic Psychologist Licensed in the State of Rhode Island

…

If there are any further questions or concerns the defendant invites you to contact him at his place of business, Bodywork Bodywork Massage Studio at any time. The website address is https://www.bodywork-bodywork.com/, and the phone number there is 401-321-4130. Thank you.