What Comes After the License: Protecting Athletes From Predatory Care

What Comes After the Psychology License: Protecting Athletes From Predatory 'Rehab'

A psychology license and a self-appointed wellness label can sound authoritative, but only one has a disciplinary file. In September 2026, Page Six reported that the founder of the Santa Monica halfway house where Presley Gerber died had been denied a California psychologist application in 2004 after a 2002 drug arrest involving a minor, then later operated under probation terms.

For athletes and families, that means checking a primary-source record, reading probation terms, and recognizing red flags before trusting a title. State boards can deny a license without stopping someone from running a sober home under another title; sport psychology certification vs licensure must be verified against the board record, not assumed.

A Denied License, a Death, and What It Reveals About Gaps in Oversight

A psychologist with a documented criminal record and a denied license application still ended up running facilities that served vulnerable people, including athletes, and that gap in oversight is the point of this case.

The timeline that should have raised flags

In February 2002, Reza Nabavi, then 25, was arrested in Oakland after police found him asleep in a car with a 15-year-old girl in an area known for drug and prostitution activity. Officers reported meth, marijuana, a hunting knife, a handgun and ammunition in the vehicle. The girl said she was under the influence of meth. Nabavi pleaded no contest to misdemeanor possession charges in May and June 2002 and received probation.

In 2004, the California Board of Psychology denied his psychologist registration, citing convictions related to the practice of psychology, controlled substance use and unprofessional conduct. He later registered as a psychological assistant in 2006 under probation conditions, and as a psychologist in December 2006. The probation terms included weekly monitoring by a California-licensed psychologist, drug testing and a recovery program. His probation ended early in 2008.

Why the license record alone was not enough

Page Six reported that Nabavi later served as director of family services at Promises Malibu and then opened Resolutions Living, the Santa Monica facility where Presley Gerber died at 27.¹ A revoked credential, paired with a history of arrests and a previously denied application, shows how easily a license record can mislead without deeper verification.

What this means for athletes and families

For anyone hiring a sports psychologist, mental performance consultant, or rehab provider, the takeaway is not that every licensed professional is risky. It is that the paper credential is a starting point, not a full background check. Athletic departments and families need to check disciplinary history, probation terms and scope of practice, not just whether a license is currently active. When an athlete's mental health and safety are on the line, that verification should include the state board's full record, not just a license number.

Licensed Psychologist Vs. Certified Mental Performance Consultant Vs. 'Coach': Who Can Do What

In 2026, the boundary between clinical treatment and performance coaching is clearer on paper than in the marketplace. A credential on a website is not the same as legal authority to treat. Knowing the difference between a sports psychologist and a mental performance consultant is the fastest way to avoid unsafe care.

What a licensed psychologist can do

Licensed clinical psychologists operate under state psychology practice acts. In general, they may assess, diagnose, and treat mental health conditions; provide psychotherapy and psychological testing; and work with anxiety disorders, depression, eating disorders, substance-use disorders, trauma-related conditions, and adjustment disorders. They cannot prescribe medication. They may also offer performance and mental-skills services when those fall within their competence and comply with state licensing and advertising rules.

What a CMPC can and cannot do

A Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) is a professional certification issued by the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP). CMPC work focuses on performance enhancement and education, such as mental skills training, focus, confidence, and pre-performance routines. A CMPC is not a state psychology license. Without a separate clinical license, a CMPC cannot diagnose or treat mental disorders, provide psychotherapy, conduct diagnostic assessment, or advertise the CMPC as authorization for those services. If a CMPC also holds a state clinical license, only that license creates authority to diagnose and treat.

Where unregulated "coach" titles get risky

"Mental performance coach," "sport psychology coach," and similar titles are not standardized state licenses or protected nationwide clinical credentials. These professionals may provide nonclinical coaching and education, but they cannot diagnose, assess for diagnosis, treat, or claim to treat mental disorders. The legal boundary turns on conduct and claims, not the title alone, and enforcement varies by state. Advertising phrases like "mental performance," "sport psychology," "wellness," or "performance therapy" cannot be used to represent clinical treatment. The liability risk rises sharply when an unlicensed coach attempts to treat depression, trauma, or substance use disorder.

A plain-language rule of thumb

• Clinical concerns: Choose a licensed psychologist or another licensed mental health professional for depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, or substance use.
• Performance skills: Choose a CMPC or qualified mental performance consultant for focus, confidence, routines, and team communication.
• Red flag: If a "coach" starts diagnosing, creating a treatment plan, or exploring trauma, stop and verify a separate clinical license.

How to Verify a Sports Psychologist's License or Certification in Under 10 Minutes

Checking a provider's primary-source record is faster than reading their website, and it is the only verification that matters before an athlete shares mental health details. A clean site, famous client list, or well-produced podcast does not confirm that a license is current or free of discipline.

Start with the state license record

For California providers, the state's Department of Consumer Affairs license search, also known as BreEZe, is the place to begin at search.dca.ca.gov.¹ Type the provider's name exactly as it would appear on their license. Confirm the license or registration type, such as psychologist or psychological assistant, because records cover many professions and do not assume a registry hit means licensed psychologist. Note the status exactly as shown: current, expired, suspended, revoked, or probation. Also note the expiration date and license number.

Check for probation, stayed revocation, and discipline

Run an advanced search for discipline-related filters: Probation Filed, Prior Discipline, Probation Completed, Revoked, Suspended, Voluntary Surrender, and Accusation Filed.² If a disciplinary entry appears, open linked public disclosure documents when available and save the title, action type, effective date, and status. Absence of a linked document does not prove no prior discipline ever existed; if something feels unclear, contact the board directly.

Verify the CMPC separately

The CMPC certification for psychologists (Certified Mental Performance Consultant) is a different credential from state licensure. Confirm it through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology sport psychology certification registry. Search by the name shown on the certification; if multiple names match, compare identifying information. Record the current certification status as displayed. The CMPC credential verifies current status, not comprehensive discipline history, so it should never replace a state license check.

The 10-minute checklist

• Search the state psychology board's public license lookup using the provider's legal name.
• Confirm exact license type and status; do not accept "credentialed" or "certified" in marketing copy.
• Check expiration date and write it down.
• Run an advanced search for probation, revocation, stayed revocation, or accusations filed.
• Open any public disclosure documents and note effective dates and current status.
• Search the AASP registry for CMPC certification if the provider claims mental performance expertise.
• Use a sports psychologist credentials checklist to compare every claim on the provider's website to primary-source records.

Related Articles

Red Flags in Sober Living, 'Rehab,' and Wellness Marketing Aimed at Athletes

Cuyahoga County, Ohio now lists 131 recovery residences under its new inspection registry,¹ and Ohio requires those homes to be certified, accredited, or within an 18-month window to pursue certification.² California, by contrast, does not require a sober living home to be licensed if it does not provide detox, counseling, group sessions, or treatment planning.³ That split explains how an unlicensed sober living environment can market itself like a clinical rehab and still fall outside direct state oversight.

When Marketing Sounds Clinical but the Facility Isn't

• Vague licensure claims: Phrases like "our clinical team" or "professional staff" without named, license-bearing providers.
• Clinical-sounding titles: "Recovery specialist," "wellness coach," or "mental performance advisor" used by people who hold no psychology license and no CMPC credential.
• Celebrity and comeback stories: Testimonials, athlete names, and peak performance language where outcome data, staffing ratios, and license numbers should be.
• Pressure to sign quickly: Urgency tied to bed availability, insurance verification, or a "limited window" for admission.

Brokering, Kickbacks, and Billing Abuse

Patient brokering is not a side issue. Federal prosecutors are applying EKRA, the anti-kickback statute for recovery homes and treatment centers, to commission-based marketer pay, where compensation depends on patient acquisition rather than clinical fit.⁴ Florida, Arizona, and Tennessee have their own anti-brokering laws.⁴ A common sober living fraud pattern involves billing insurers for unnecessary, undelivered, or misleadingly bundled services, effectively monetizing the placement itself.⁴ A residence that has no doctors, nurses, or licensed therapists should not be admitting people who need detox or acute stabilization, families should know when to refer athletes to clinical psychologists.⁶

Athlete-Specific Marketing Lowers the Guard

Peak performance and comeback narratives can make a facility feel sport psychology adjacent rather than medical. That framing can bypass the scrutiny a family would apply to a hospital or clinic when arranging athlete mental health support. But if the service is managing withdrawal, mental health crises, or medication, the credentialing standard should be the same: current state license, verified board status, and a clear treatment license. The sober living environment where Presley Gerber died was described as unlicensed, not a licensed rehabilitation facility,⁵ and that distinction matters for families deciding where to send an athlete.

Gut-Check Questions Before You Tour or Enroll

• Is this facility licensed or certified, and for what level of care? Ask for the number.
• Which specific staff members hold a current, unrestricted psychology, medical, or clinical license I can verify?
• Are clinical titles backed by a credential I can check with a state board or certification body?
• Does the marketing lean on testimonials more than staffing ratios, licensure, and outcome reporting?
• Is there urgency to sign or pay before independent verification is complete?

What Probation, Revocation, and Registration Actually Mean on a License Record

The gap between what a license looks like on paper and what it means in practice has become one of the most important oversight questions in athlete mental health. California's Board of Psychology language is a useful place to start, because the labels are not interchangeable.

Three Labels That Get Confused

• Licensed psychologist: Holds a doctoral degree, completed 3,000 supervised hours (1,500 postdoctoral), passed the EPPP and California ethics/law exam,¹ and has a license that is in force, not suspended or revoked.⁴
• Registered psychologist: A time-limited, non-renewable registration of up to 30 months to work under supervision of a licensed psychologist or board-certified psychiatrist.²
• Psychological assistant: An unlicensed person registered with the Board who must work under the immediate supervision of a licensed psychologist or board-certified psychiatrist and renew registration annually.²

These distinctions matter because only the licensed psychologist can practice independently; that independent scope is central to life coach vs sports psychologist credentials. The other two are supervised roles, and their registration does not equal licensure.

When Revocation Is 'Stayed'

A stayed revocation is not a separate license category. The Board imposes a revocation but stays, or delays, enforcement as long as the provider complies with probationary terms.³ The license remains active, but conditional. If the provider violates terms, the revocation can be enforced.

What the Conditions Look Like on Paper

The recent California case involving Dr. Reza Nabavi shows how detailed these conditions can be. After an initial denial, his later registration was revoked but stayed, with probation terms that included weekly monitoring by a California-licensed psychologist, employer notification, random drug and alcohol testing, entry into a drug and alcohol recovery program, psychological evaluation, and ongoing treatment. The Board later granted early termination of probation, but the license record currently shows a revoked status. That timeline is a reminder that a clean-looking license record does not erase the history behind it.

If You See These Terms on a Record

Seeing probation, stayed revocation, or supervision conditions does not automatically disqualify a provider. Many practitioners complete probation and go on to safe, ethical careers. But it does mean deeper questions are warranted: What exactly were the findings? How long has the practitioner been back in independent practice? Who supervised the probation? What does current, documented recovery or oversight look like? Ask for specifics before placing an athlete in that provider's care, the same discipline behind how to choose a trustworthy sport psychologist.

Questions Athletic Departments and Families Should Ask Every Mental Health Vendor

Before signing a contract or scheduling a first session, ask these questions in writing and document the answers.

• What is your license or certification number, and how can I verify it independently?

  Ask for the exact number, then confirm it directly on the state licensure board website or CMPC registry, never rely solely on the vendor's own brochure, website, or referral list.
• Who on your staff is licensed to diagnose or treat mental illness?

  Clarify which providers hold clinical licenses and which only provide performance consulting or coaching, because scope of practice determines what they can legally address.
• What happens when performance work uncovers a clinical issue?

  Request a written protocol for referring an athlete to a higher level of care, including how and when that referral is made.
• How do you handle confidentiality for minors and collegiate athletes?

  Ask about parental/guardian notification policies, confidentiality limits, and mandatory reporting obligations so families and athletic departments understand what will be shared.
• Can you provide references from other athletic programs and disclose any disciplinary history?

  Follow up with references directly and ask whether the vendor has ever had a license denied, revoked, or placed on probation, and how that history was disclosed.

How to Report Unsafe, Deceptive, or Unlicensed Mental Health Practices

If you see unsafe, deceptive, or unlicensed mental health practices aimed at athletes, you do not need a complete legal case to file a complaint. State boards and health agencies investigate reasonable concerns, and a specific report is more actionable than a vague one.

Pick the Right Agency

Complaint routing depends on the provider or facility type. In California, the Board of Psychology accepts complaints about licensed psychologists and psychological assistants, including possible unlicensed practice when someone is offering psychological services without a valid active license.⁵ For rehab and sober-living settings, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) handles licensed or certified alcohol and drug providers and counselors.² If a 24-hour nonmedical residential recovery or treatment program is involved, DHCS may open an investigation. Non-treatment sober-living homes are often not licensed by DHCS, so complaints may go to local code enforcement, business licensing, fire, or law enforcement depending on the conduct. Facilities regulated by the California Department of Public Health can be reported through Cal Health Find.⁴ Some states also have separate fraud or patient-brokering tip lines for deceptive treatment marketing; check your state health department's complaint page. When in doubt, start with the agency most likely to regulate the service and ask where to redirect the report.

What to Gather First

Before filing, collect what you can: - Provider or facility: name, address, and license number if known. - Events: exact dates, times, and locations. - Witnesses: names and contact information for anyone who saw or heard the concerning behavior. - Details: services offered, payments made, injuries, threats, medication issues, and misleading marketing claims.

Preserve copies of messages, intake forms, or promotional materials, not originals. The Board of Psychology's Consumer Complaint Form, for example, asks you to list all health care providers who may have records.¹ You can file online or call (866) 503-3221.¹ For DHCS substance use disorder complaints, call (877) 685-8333 or email [email protected].² For DHCS-regulated mental health facilities, call (916) 327-8378.³

What Happens After You File

Filing does not require you to prove the case in full. The board or agency reviews the allegation, may request records through a signed authorization, and decides whether to investigate. You may not receive a guaranteed timeline or outcome. If someone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services first; an administrative complaint does not replace emergency intervention.