Westland Woman Accuses Psychiatric Nurse of Financial Exploitation

A woman from Westland, Michigan, alleges that her psychiatric nurse practitioner exploited her during a mental health crisis by manipulating her into loaning thousands of dollars. Mary Carmichael, aged 46, claims that Priscilla Jimenez, whom she found on PsychologyToday.com in February 2023, took advantage of her trust and vulnerability.

Initially, Carmichael described Jimenez as a “lifeline,” someone she felt she could confide in during her struggles with mental health. However, the situation changed when she disclosed her financial situation, indicating that she had money coming in during a challenging period. “As soon as I told her that, and she knew I had the money, she started asking me for loans,” Carmichael explained.

Carmichael stated that Jimenez was aware of her struggles with hypomania and excessive spending, issues that Carmichael had discussed openly during her treatment. “I felt like she manipulated my care at that point,” she said, visibly emotional. The requests for financial assistance escalated, ranging from seemingly reasonable explanations to increasingly dubious claims. “She said she was being evicted, that her nursing license was expired, that she was starting her own practice,” Carmichael recounted, questioning why a practitioner would need financial help from a patient.

Throughout the course of their interactions, Carmichael transferred a total of “thousands of dollars” to Jimenez via the Zelle payment system, though she is uncertain of the exact total. Jimenez reportedly instructed her to keep these loans confidential, insisting that Carmichael should not disclose them to others, including her talk therapist. “She told me not to tell anybody,” Carmichael said, adding that the secrecy compounded her feelings of trust and betrayal.

The turning point for Carmichael came when she discovered that Jimenez was allegedly requesting money from another patient. “I didn’t feel special anymore,” she said, expressing her concern that other patients might also be exploited. Following this revelation, she blocked Jimenez’s number and filed a complaint with the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).

According to an Administrative Complaint filed by LARA’s Bureau of Professional Licensing, “from June 17 to August 3, 2024, Respondent made multiple requests to M.C. for M.C. to provide personal loans to assist with Respondent’s personal finances.” The complaint details that Carmichael transferred a total of $3,025 in seven electronic transactions. On August 11, 2024, Jimenez allegedly requested an additional $816 to avoid eviction, a request that Carmichael did not fulfill. Furthermore, on March 3, 2025, Jimenez texted Carmichael asking for $80 to resolve issues with her debit card.

Carmichael has since sought a new provider, stating that the experience has left her feeling anxious and ashamed. “It’s been eight months of anxiety, shame, hollow,” she expressed. “It’s so hard. I don’t trust my own judgment anymore.” The complaint against Jimenez includes four counts: negligence, incompetence, lack of good moral character, and betrayal of professional confidence.

Carmichael emphasized that she never met Jimenez in person; all sessions were conducted virtually or by phone. After months of reflection, she has decided to share her story to help others who may feel similarly victimized. “I know the truth, and that’s why I’m saying it,” she asserted. “If I can help somebody else not feel the way that I’m feeling, then I have to say something.”

Local 4 reached out to Jimenez’s attorney, Aaron J. Kemp, who indicated that they could not provide substantive comments due to the ongoing administrative complaint. He stated that they look forward to defending Jimenez and seeking the dismissal of the complaint once all facts are revealed.

The status of the complaint remains unclear, as Local 4 has also contacted LARA for updates regarding Jimenez’s response and whether any disciplinary actions have been taken. While the investigation continues, Carmichael hopes her experience will shed light on the importance of trust and transparency in mental health care.