A psychologist has been banned from practicing her profession for life after one of her patients, who was suffering from anorexia, committed suicide.

The psychologist and her partner had taken the girl into their home several times and got her to call them mum and dad. The patient killed herself several days after the psychologist broke off the relationship.

The sector’s disciplinary committee said in its ruling the psychologist had failed to meet numerous professional standards and had also shown serious shortcomings in her treatment of the patient.

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She was originally suspended for one year but on appeal has been struck off the Dutch medical professionals register.

The victim killed herself in 2011 by jumping off a block of flats in Nijmegen. She had previously published a book about her struggle with anorexia and had been on television several times.

Her mother initiated the action against the psychologist after discovering the nature of the relationship with her daughter.