FAKE DOCTOR? State Shuts Down Paramus Clinic After Therapist Allegedly Falsified MD and PhD Credentials.
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Paramus , NJ – Residents seeking help with anxiety and depression in Bergen County are being urged to exercise caution following a major legal action taken by the state. Authorities allege that a man operating the Stress Reduction Clinic Inc. in Paramus was falsely claiming to possess the necessary training, degrees, and licensing to practice therapy in New Jersey.
On September 24, a Superior Court judge in Bergen County issued a temporary injunction ordering Imran Rasid to immediately halt his practice.
The State’s Allegations: A Pattern of Misrepresentation
The civil suit, filed by lawyers for the State Attorney General’s Office, contends that Imran Rasid has never been qualified or licensed to practice medicine or any form of therapy in New Jersey.
The allegations detail an extensive pattern of misrepresentation across various platforms:
- False Credentials: Business cards and letterhead allegedly misrepresented Rasid as “Dr. Imran Rasid” and claimed qualifications such as “MD, PhD, AW, CHt, NLP/Board Certified Therapist.”
- Exaggerated Claims: Rasid’s website, advertisements, and social media accounts allegedly boasted that he is “board certified,” “a renowned figure in the field of medicine,” and “one of the leading physicians of the world.”
- Sole Practitioner Claim: The suit also targets the claim that he is “the only MD and PhD who is practicing different tools and modalities of therapy in the State of New Jersey,” asserting it is entirely false.
Practicing Without a License: The Legal Complaint
The lawsuit against Rasid specifically alleges he illegally practiced multiple regulated fields without a proper license, including:
- Medicine
- Marriage and Family Therapy
- Psychology
- Drug Counseling
“Imran Rasid has gone to great lengths to trick people into believing he has the requisite education, training, and licensure to practice medicine and mental health services in New Jersey, when in reality, nothing could be further from the truth,” said Elizabeth Harris, acting director of the Division of Consumer Affairs, in a strong public statement.
The Defense: Misunderstanding, Not Fraud
Rasid has referred all questions to his attorney, Alex Keosky. Keosky maintains that his client is a trained physician who previously practiced in Turkey and Canada.
Keosky framed the situation as a “misunderstanding” rather than deliberate fraud, stating: “This is not a case of someone committing fraud, but a misunderstanding by someone who had practiced in other countries.”
The defense is reportedly attempting to reach an agreement with the Attorney General’s Office to allow Rasid to continue providing hypnocounseling, a stress management technique that can be offered by non-licensed individuals.
Complaints Prompted State Action
The temporary injunction was issued after complaints were filed against Rasid by a licensed therapist and two former patients, highlighting the risk posed to consumers by unlicensed practitioners.
This case serves as a crucial reminder for all New Jersey residents to always verify the credentials and licensing of any medical or mental health professional through the state’s official licensing boards before beginning treatment.
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