Fake Therapist Sentenced To Five Years In Prison: Police

LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL — A 45-year-old Lakewood Ranch man pleaded no contest, was adjudicated guilty and was sentenced Thursday after being charged with multiple felony counts of unlicensed practice of a healthcare professional in 2019, the Sarasota Police Department said in a news release.

Phillip Stutzman will serve five years in prison with the Florida Department of Corrections and 10 years of probation.

According to at least 13 victims, Stutzman, also known as Dr. Phillip Nikao, provided counseling and therapy services under false pretenses, misrepresentations and without a license between October 2016 and January 2019, police said. He claimed to have a master’s degree in neuroscience and a doctorate in psychology that he obtained online.

Stutzman focused his services on individuals who had been sexually abused and for individuals with weight and anxiety problems.

Detectives contacted the Florida Department of Health and spoke with their investigators who did not find any valid licenses for Stutzman or the last name of Nikao. Detectives also contacted the university Stutzman claimed his degrees were from and learned the degrees were falsified.

In addition to his time in prison, Stutzman has been ordered not to practice as a life coach or therapist and has been ordered to pay at least $65,000 in restitution to the victims.

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Sarasota police Criminal Investigations Division Captain Johnathan Todd said Detective Ross Revill “has been persistently working on (this case) since it was assigned to him in 2019.”

He also thanked victim advocate Jude Castro for working “tirelessly and diligently” to stay connected with every victim in the case.

“We’re thankful for the victims who had the courage to come forward and let us know what happened…This man preyed on innocent people who were looking for help when they were most vulnerable. This outcome brings a resolution to the victims in this case and makes our community safe,” Todd said.