Pictou County therapist suspended after aggravated assault allegations

Allegations of domestic violence have resulted in the professional license suspension of a Pictou County therapist.

Brian MacIsaac of Stellarton was arrested in connection to an alleged assault which, according to court documents, happened on Oct. 12.

MacIsaac is charged with assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm, aggravated assault, unlawful confinement, uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm and a charge of choking the victim.

None of the allegations have been proven. MacIsaac is expected to appear in Pictou Provincial Court on Nov. 19, 2020, to enter a plea.

Matthew Lafond, a registrar with The Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists, confirms that a complaint has been received against MacIsaac. He provided the following statement:

“On Oct. 19, 2020, the Complaints Committee of the Nova Scotia College of Counselling Therapists suspended Brian MacIsaac’s license, until the suspension is lifted, superseded, or annulled by the Complaints Committee or the Professional Conduct Committee, as the case may be.”

Lafond said that they are not able to disclose any further details regarding the complaint.

Dr. Mark Johnston confirmed that MacIsaac had recently worked as an independent contractor with True North Psychological Services. As soon as True North learned of the charges against MacIsaac, they ended their relationship with him, Johnston said. That was on Friday, Oct. 16.

He said MacIsaac starting working with True North earlier this year, providing telehealth services. The company conducts criminal records checks, but nothing negative showed up. Johnston said MacIsaac had experience as a school principal and also told the company that he had worked in law enforcement in the past.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Johnston said that MacIsaac never worked out of any of their offices and that he'd never personally met him face-to-face. He said MacIsaac only had a handful of clients.