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Catherine Moritz, Founder

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Catherine Moritz, Founder
Moritz Catherine PhD
(6 Reviews)
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900 South US Highway 1 101 Jupiter, FL 33477
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About

Catherine Moritz, Founder

I have been in private practice for over 20 years in Jupiter. I treat most type of mental health conditions as well as clients that just want to get their life on tract. I specialize in trauma. I am certified in many type trauma therapies and am an Certified Addiction professional. I do not believe that everyone can be treated with the same modality therefor I am a certified Mental Health and Wellness Life Coach and a Life Coach. I do telehealth appointments as well as in person appointments provided my clients are not ill. Regarding Covid19 I have a protocol for cleaning and disinfecting.
Primary Specialty

Psychologist

Gender Female
Map and Directions
900 South US Highway 1 101, Jupiter, FL 33477
Services Various diverse types psychotherapies tailored to fit the individual, Life Coaching, Mental Health Coaching, EMDR, RRT, Hypnosis, and Micro-current.
Consumer Feedback
(6 Reviews)
Service
3 star average for Service
Environment
4 star average for Environment
Expertise
5 star average for Expertise
Staff
5 star average for Staff
Recommended
4.5 star average for Recommended
Value
5 star average for Value
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Recent Reviews
wes CASE NUMBER: 502019CA002620XXXXMB Division: AH ****

Filing # 85504412 E-Filed 02/26/2019 12:10:30 PM

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE
MADELEINE S. HUMPHREYS, FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, IN

AND FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY,
Plaintiff, FLORIDA
v.

CASE NO:

CATHERINE MORITZ, PHD, LMHC,

Defendant.

COMPLAINT AND JURY DEMAND

COMES NOW, Plaintiff, MADELEINE S. HUMPHREYS, by and through undersigned

counsel, sues Defendant CATHERINE MORITZ, PH.D., L.M.H.C., and alleges:
JURISDICTION AND VENUE

L. This is an action for damages in excess of the jurisdictional limitations of this Court,
exclusive of interest and costs and within the jurisdiction of this Court.

2. This cause of action is for professional malpractice and intentional infliction of
emotional distress.

3. Venue is appropriate in this Court as all acts alleged to have been committed by
Defendant against Plaintiff ocenrred wholly within Palm Reach County, Florida.

4. All conditions precedent for bringing this action have been satisfied.

PARTIES

5. Plaintiff, MADELEINE S. HUMPHREYS (hereinafter “HUMPHREYS”), is a
citizen of the State of Florida residing im Martin County.

6. At all times material to this action, Defendant CATHERINE MORITZ, PH.D.,
L.M.H.C. (hereinafter “MORITZ”), was and is a citizen of the State of Florida residing in Palm

Beach County.

CHEN. DAIAARCACUAAIINTY Cl CUADAND ANY FLED n9INeiInNn«A 49.4n.29N DAA
PILL. PAL BLAU VUUINE TT, FL, OHI. DUUN, ULLIAN, vereuizulg 12.10.00 FivtUNDERLYING FACTS
7. Ms. HUMPHREYS became a patient of Licensed Mental Health Therapist Dr.
MORITZ on or about November 6, 2014.
8. Thereafter, Dr. MORITZ saw Ms. HUMPHREYS individually on an ongoing basis
as part of a treatment plan for mental and emotional issues to achieve wellness.
9. As part of this therapist-patient relationship, Dr. MORITZ also provided marriage
counseling to Ms. HUMPHREYS and her then husband, Dale Lucius.

10. Upon information and belief, Dr. MORITZ engaged in a romantic and sexual



patient relationship with Ms. HUMPHREYS.

11. On information and belief, Dr. MORITZ provided counseling and guidance to Ms.
HUMPHREYS regarding her marriage to Mr. Lucius even while Dr. MORITZ was involved
romantically and sexually with Mr. Lucius.

12. On information and belief, Dr. MORITZ continued to accept payment from Ms.
HUMPHREYS and Ms. HUMPHREYS? insurance carrier while she was involved romantically
and sexually with Mr. Lucius.

13. Dr. MORITZ deliberately and maliciously deceived Ms. HUMPHREYS when she
failed to disclose to and concealed her relationship with Ms. HUMPHREYS’ husband. This
conduct, under these circumstances, is extreme and outrageous.

14. Dr. MORITZ breached the patient-therapist duty of reasonable care she owed to
Ms. HUMPHREYS when she became romantically and sexually involved with Ms.

HUMPHREYS’ husband.15. Dr. MORITZ breached her fiduciary duties and her trust relationship with Ms.
HUMPHREYS when she became romantically and sexually involved with Ms. HUMPHREYS’
husband.

16. | Ms. HUMPHREYS subsequently divorced Mr. Lucius.

17. Dr. MORITZ’s actions caused or substantially contributed to damages including
emotional injuries, pain and suffering, the expense of therapy sessions and pecuniary damages in
connection with Ms. HUMPHREYS’ divorce.

COUNT I: PROFESSIONAL MALPRACTICE

~



v
J



through 17, inclusive, as if fully set forth herein.

19. | Asa Licensed Mental Health Therapist, Dr. MORITZ owed a duty to her patients,
including Ms. HUMPHREYS, to act in a professional manner with the intimate and confidential
details shared with her in the course and scope of counseling and mental therapy sessions.

20. Further, Dr. MORITZ owed a duty not to interfere with her patients’ relationships
outside of the counseling sessions.

21. Dr. MORITZ breached her duty of care to Ms. HUMPHREYS when she engaged
in a sexual and romantic relationship with Ms. HUMPHREYS’ husband.

22. Dr. MORITZ committed sexual misconduct by a psychotherapist pursuant to
Florida Statute § 491.0112 when she engaged in a sexual and romantic relationship with Mr.
Lucius.

23. The above acts or omissions on the part of Dr. MORITZ constitutes negligence,
and departs from the reasonable standards of professionalism required by licensed mental health

therapists in the State of Florida.24. As a direct and proximate result of the actions of Defendant Dr. MORITZ, as
described above, Ms. HUMPHREYS suffered emotional injuries, pain and suffering, the expense
of therapy sessions and pecuniary damages in connection with Ms. HUMPHREYS’ divorce.

WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against Dr. MORITZ for actual compensatory
damages, pain, suffering and emotional distress, general and special damages including lost wages
or earning capacity in the past and future, medical expenses in the past and future, reserves the

right to move for punitive damages, and demands a jury trial of all issues so triable.

COUNT II: INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS





v
J



through 17, inclusive, as if fully set forth herein.

26. Dr. MORITZ caused severe emotional distress to Ms. HUMPHREYS by her
reckless and intentional acts, as set forth herein.

27. Dr. MORITZ commited the intentional infliction of emotional distress to Ms.
HUMPHREYS when she engaged in a sexual and romantic relationship with Ms. HUMPHREYS’
husband while she was counseling Ms. HUMPHREYS on her marriage.

28. Dr. MORITZ betrayed the trust placed in her by Ms. HUMPHREYS.

29. Dr. MORITZ’s actions were extreme and outrageous, going well beyond all bounds
of decency and were done with the purpose of inflicting extreme emotional distress or in complete
disregard of the harm that would occur from the consequences of her actions.

30. Dr. MORITZ committed sexual misconduct by a psychotherapist pursuant to
Florida Statute § 491.0112 when she engaged in a sexual and romantic relationship with Mr.
Lucius.

31. The aforesaid actions by Dr. MORITZ were so outrageous in character and were so

extreme in degree that a reasonable member of the community would regard such conduct asatrocious, going beyond all possible bounds of decency and as being utterly intolerable in a
civilized community.
32. As a direct and proximate result of Dr. MORITZ’s extremely reckless and
intentional conduct, Ms. HUMPHREYS suffered severe emotional distress and mental anguish.
WHEREFORE, Plaintiff demands judgment against MORITZ for actual compensatory
damages, pain, suffering and emotional distress, general and special damages including lost wages
or earning capacity in the past and future, medical expenses in the past and future, reserves the

right to move for punitive damages, and demands a jury trial of all issues so triable.

I





A demand for a jury trial is hereby made.
Dated: February 26, 2019.

/s/ Guy Bennett Rubin

Guy Bennett Rubin, Esq.
Florida Bar No. 691305
Todd Norbraten, Esq.
Florida Bar No.: 56605
Rubin & Rubin

PO Box 395

Stuart, Florida 34995
Telephone: (772) 283-2004

AIAN 107 ANAND



acsimule: (772) 283-2009
grubin@rubinandrubin.com
tnorbraten@rubinandrubin.com
dkrebs@rubinandrubin.com
Attorneys for the Plaintiff


Filing # 124886546 E-Filed 04/14/2021 10:32:53 AM

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE FIFTEENTH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT
IN AND FOR PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA

CIRCUIT CIVIL DIVISION AH
MADELEINE S. HUMPHREYS, CASE NO: 50-2019-CA-002620

Plaintiff,
vs.

CATHERINE MORITZ, PHD, LMHC,

Defendant.
/



ORDER OF DISMISSAL WITH PREJUDICE
IN CONSIDERATION of the foregoing Stipulation, it is:

ORDERED AND ADJUDGED that the claims of Plaintiff, MADELEINE S.
HUMPHREYS, against Defendant, CATHERINE MORITZ, PHD, LMHC, are hereby dismissed

with prejudice, each party to bear their own costs and attorneys fees.

DONE AND ORDERED in Chambers, in West Palm Beach, Palm Beach County, Florida.

50201 9CA002620XXXXMB — O4/i32021

EINAL DIGEOSITION FORR amantha Schosberg Feuer—Circult'Judge

(Fla.R.Civ.P, Form 1.998)
by for your rights xxx.xxx.251.136
December 13, 2022
Catherine has been my doctor for over 20 years. She has treated many of my family and friends and I trust her and her ability completely. She is the best.
by Ms Jupiter xxx.xxx.149.31
February 19, 2018
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Did this psychologist have reasonable prices?
Absolutely!
Does the provider's staff try to be helpful?
Yes
Does this psychologist give unbiased advice?
Absolutely! I always get sound, helpful, and completely unbiased advice!
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.154.124
March 10, 2014
Would you refer this provider to a family or friend?
Yes, I'm going tell everyone about them. I absolutely love this place!
Did this provider listen to your input and concerns?
Absolutely! This provider always listens carefully to what I have to say!
by Anonymous xxx.xxx.2.110
December 11, 2012
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