The Oath: Episode One - "The Case"
Release Date: April 9, 2025
Introduction
In the premiere episode of "The Oath," hosted by Krisha Collier and co-produced by Brennan Lefler, TVO delves deep into the troubling case of Dr. Melvyn Iscove. A respected psychiatrist whose medical license was revoked in 2018, Dr. Iscove stands accused of sexually abusing two male patients. This episode unpacks not only the allegations but also the broader implications for Ontario’s medical regulatory body and the dark remnants of outdated psychiatric practices.
The Accusations Against Dr. Iscove
The episode opens with Patient X recounting his harrowing experiences under Dr. Iscove’s care:
[00:01] Krisha Collier: “Imagine being a fly on the wall during someone's therapy session. It's pretty rare. What might you hear? You'd likely hear about their deepest secrets, their biggest traumas, their worst fears.”
[01:01] Patient X: “He was like a father figure to me. He was a very significant, authoritative figure in my life who I trusted with my well-being and he exerted great influence on my decision-making.”
Patient X describes how Dr. Iscove attempted to convince him that he was homosexual, despite his own assertions of heterosexuality:
[01:37] Patient X: “Pretty early on, he tried to convince me that I was homosexual. I was quite adamant that that wasn't the case... I was too afraid to talk to my parents and tell them that this was going on.”
These revelations set the stage for a broader investigation into Dr. Iscove’s methods and the systemic issues within the medical regulatory framework.
The Investigation Begins
Krisha Collier, with Brennan Lefler as her co-producer, stumbles upon Dr. Iscove’s case while researching court hearings:
[02:25] Krisha Collier: “I was looking through court cases online... I stumbled across a hearing that stood out. It was about Dr. Iscove and how he lost his medical license in 2018 for allegedly sexually abusing two of his male patients.”
The allegations against Dr. Iscove included:
- Sexual Abuse of Patients
- Engaging in Conduct Deemed Disgraceful, Dishonorable, or Unprofessional
Despite Dr. Iscove’s denials, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) Discipline Committee deemed the accusations credible, leading to the revocation of his license.
Uncovering Dr. Edmund Burglar’s Influence
A pivotal discovery in the investigation is Dr. Iscove’s reliance on the works of Dr. Edmund Burglar, a 1950s psychoanalyst with controversial views on homosexuality:
[09:13] Patient X: “You got me to read some passages from Burglar's books on homosexuality. You gave me reading material to take home with me.”
Dr. Burglar’s writings posited that homosexuality was an illness that could be cured—views that align with what is now widely recognized as conversion therapy. Notable excerpts from these works found in the CPSO exhibits include:
[12:59] Krisha Collier: “I have used the phrase sick people deliberately. All attempts to prove homosexuality to be anything but illness have, in my opinion, failed.”
[13:13] Brennan Lefler: “The homosexual's whole personality is neurotically sick.”
These materials raise alarming questions about the appropriateness and ethics of providing such outdated and harmful literature to patients, even in the late 1990s and 2000s.
The Testimonies of Patient X and Y
Patient X shares how his sessions with Dr. Iscove spanned over two decades, fostering deep dependency and confusion:
[07:16] Patient X: “I was pretty naive and inexperienced, and he had a pretty strong persona and made great efforts to discredit other therapists... I was fearful to go elsewhere.”
In contrast, Patient Y recounts a more recent and escalating pattern of abuse:
[16:44] Patient X: “He would say, are you having any penis sucking fantasies?... When he mentioned it, then, you know, I would have a visual about what it might be like...”
[21:18] Krisha Collier: “Patience says in that fragile state, he and Iscov started engaging in sexual activities...”
The testimonies highlight a disturbing progression from professional misconduct to outright sexual abuse, orchestrated through manipulative techniques and the exploitation of emotional vulnerability.
The Role of the CPSO and Transparency Issues
Krisha and Brennan’s pursuit of the CPSO’s records reveals significant barriers to transparency:
[10:38] Paul Hart: “The college has prioritized privacy of physicians over transparency to the public, in my opinion...”
[11:26] Krisha Collier: “The college is a self-regulating body that gives it a lot of discretion to choose how cooperative to be when releasing information.”
Despite numerous follow-ups, obtaining the necessary exhibits took nearly seven months, underscoring systemic issues within the regulatory framework.
Expert Insights on Boundary Violations
To contextualize the abuse, Dr. Gail Robinson, a veteran psychiatrist and expert on sexual misconduct in healthcare, explains the dynamics at play:
[18:39] Dr. Gail Robinson: “With any doctor, there's an automatic power differential... it's very easy for the patient to develop very positive feelings towards the psychiatrist.”
She elaborates on the gradual nature of boundary crossings:
[19:23] Dr. Gail Robinson: “It starts with just nice compliments and maybe letting the patient stay longer... The patient doesn't know if that's wrong.”
This insight sheds light on how Dr. Iscove may have systematically eroded professional boundaries to exploit his patients.
Conclusion and What's Next
While Dr. Melvyn Iscove is no longer allowed to practice medicine, the episode concludes by highlighting the lingering effects of his actions on his victims and the pressing need for greater accountability:
[20:18] Krisha Collier: “I never really questioned too much.”
[21:54] Krisha Collier: “But in many ways that wasn't it. It was only the first chapter.”
The investigation is far from over, as Krisha and Brennan hint at uncovering more about other potential victims and systemic failures in future episodes.
Looking Ahead
As "The Oath" continues, listeners can expect an in-depth exploration of:
- Additional testimonies from other victims.
- A critical examination of the CPSO’s regulatory practices.
- The historical context of psychiatric approaches to homosexuality.
- Broader discussions on trust, power dynamics, and accountability in the medical profession.
Stay tuned for the next episode as Krisha Collier and Brennan Lefler unravel further layers of this disturbing case.
Credits:
Hosted, Written, and Co-Produced by Krisha Collier
Co-Produced and Written by Brennan Lefler
Sound Design and Editing by Damien Kearns
Editing and Technical Support by Matthew O'Meara
Theme Music by Alison Layton Brown
Special Thanks to the Barry and Lori Greene Family Charitable Trust
Managing Editor of Podcasts and Digital Video: Katie O'Connor
Executive Producer of Digital: Lori Few
Vice President, Programming and Content: John Ferry
Listen to "The Oath" on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.