Psychologist convicted of harassing local patients

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston psychologist is now serving six months in the Harris County Jail, convicted last week of harassing a former patient.

Convictions on the misdemeanor charge are not common. More rare is actual jail time, but this was no ordinary case.

Felicia Martin is the former patient of Dr Kyle Mancuso, who also went by the name of Lisa Mancuso. Martin decided the therapy for which she paid had served it purpose. When she terminated the professional relationship, it turned ugly.

Within two weeks, Martin said she started receiving voicemails at 5 in the morning. She called Mancuso's rants delusional.

It escalated when Mancuso brought a package to her workplace. In it was a collection of rhymes, written in crayon, that referred to topics discussed in their therapy sessions.

"He escalated," she said. "It was frightening to me and my family. Showing up at your place of work, making threatening phone calls. How horrifying can that be?"

Martin called police. Mancuso was arrested and charged last year. The case only went to trial this month.

Last week, Mancuso was convicted, and sentenced to 180 days in jail and a $2000 fine. "It speaks to the harm he did to someone who was vulnerable, and that's why we know for fact there are more people,"

said prosecutor Britney Jackson.

Prosecutors believe more of Mancuso's patients have had similar issues, but they have yet to come forward. Prosecutor Sean Powers calls Martin's actions courageous, and should serve as an example to others who've had similar experiences with the therapist. "They need to know we're here to help them and try to find justice for them as well."

Martin has also filed complaints with the state regarding Mancuso, attempting to have his license revoked.