Henderson City Councilwoman Dr. Monica Larson is fighting back against what she calls misleading media coverage. A local TV station ran an investigation questioning her professional background in psychology. But a closer look shows this might be more about gotcha journalism than any real wrongdoing.
Here’s what actually happened. Larson has a doctorate in clinical psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. She earned a master’s degree in forensic psychology from the same school. She did her graduate training and clinical work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist in California. That’s exactly how the system is supposed to work.
When reporters ambushed her with cameras, Larson declined to participate in what looked like a media circus. She later released a clear statement explaining her credentials.
“At no time have I ever represented myself—on social media, in writing, or in any public forum—as a licensed psychologist,” Larson said in her statement.
“My professional references to ‘clinical and forensic psychology’ have always described my education and area of expertise, not a claim of active licensure to independently practice.”
Dr. Ekerette Essien, the licensed California psychologist Larson worked under, had nothing but praise. “Monica was licensed with the board of psychology as a registered psychologist under me,” Essien told investigators. She called Larson “brilliant” and “very very highly skilled.”
Why This Matters
For conservatives who believe in limited government, this case shows why we need to be skeptical of media attacks on public servants. The press often acts like they’re the ultimate authority on everything. But sometimes they get it wrong.
Larson earned her degrees. She put in the work. She completed her training under proper supervision. Then she retired from psychology practice and moved into public service. That’s a normal career path. Lots of people earn advanced degrees and then move on to other things.
The media wants to make this sound like she’s pretending to be something she’s not. But having a doctorate means you’ve earned the title of doctor. That’s true whether you’re currently practicing or not. A retired surgeon is still a doctor. A former psychology professional with a doctorate is still Dr. Larson.
Nobody’s asking Governor Joe Lombardo to show his current law enforcement credentials or sheriff’s badge. He served for decades in law enforcement and as sheriff before becoming governor. That’s his background and expertise. Same thing here with Larson. She earned her credentials and now serves in a different capacity.
Why Conservatives Should Support Larson
This looks like a hit job, plain and simple. Think about the timing. Larson is serving on the city council. She’s making decisions that affect her community. Then suddenly the media shows up with cameras and tries to make her look bad.
Conservatives believe in personal responsibility and honest achievement. Larson achieved a lot. She earned advanced degrees. She worked in her field. She gained expertise. Now she’s using that knowledge to serve her community. That’s admirable.
We also believe the media shouldn’t be trusted blindly. They often have an agenda. When they ambush someone with cameras and then act shocked when that person doesn’t want to talk, that tells you something about their methods.
Larson’s statement was crystal clear:
“I remain focused on serving the people of Henderson with honesty, accountability, integrity and the highest ethical standards.”
She described her education and area of expertise. She never claimed to be currently licensed to practice psychology. Those are different things. The media is trying to blur that line to create a scandal where none exists.
The Bigger Picture
This case shows how the media can weaponize regulations and licensing rules to attack people they target. Yes, professional licensing exists for good reasons. But using those rules as a cudgel against someone who earned their credentials and moved on to other work? That’s unfair.
Larson completed her doctorate. She defended her dissertation. She worked under supervision as required. She voluntarily cancelled her California registration when she retired and moved to Nevada. That’s all proper and legal.
The conservative position here is clear. We support people who work hard, earn their credentials, and serve their communities. We don’t support media witch hunts based on technicalities and word games.
What Happens Next
Larson continues to serve on the Henderson City Council. She’s focused on the needs of Ward 2 residents. The media investigation might prompt some bureaucratic review, but Larson’s statement addresses the key facts.
Conservatives in Henderson should rally behind their councilwoman. Show up to city council meetings and express support. Push back against media narratives that try to tear down public servants over nothing.
When the media comes after someone with this kind of coordinated attack, ask yourself why. What decisions is Larson making that someone doesn’t like? What policies is she supporting? Often these hit pieces are about politics, not facts.
Stand with people who’ve earned their way through hard work and education. Don’t let the media destroy reputations based on misleading headlines and gotcha questions.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
