By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
On January 19, 2026, a former client fatally stabbed a licensed mental health counselor in her Orlando, Florida, office. The attacker also critically injured another client during the incident. According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, counselor Rebecca White had just ended a session when Michael Smith arrived at her office and demanded to be seen. White told Smith to leave. When the other client said he was calling 911, Smith pulled out a knife and attacked both of them.
White worked as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) at her own therapy practice, Down to Earth Therapy Solutions, in Orlando, Florida.
This tragic incident highlights the increasing level of stalking and violence that health professionals across the board are experiencing.
What Is Known So Far.
According to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to the scene, where they discovered White with “significant injuries.” She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she died from her injuries. The second victim was also hospitalized in critical condition but is expected to recover.
White was finishing up a session with her client around 9:00 P.M. when the former client, identified as Michael Smith, came to her office and demanded to see her. She reportedly asked him to leave before calling 911, the Orange County Sheriff’s office said. (Please note, there are many different individuals named “Michael Smith,” including one of our own attorneys; this was not him.)
That’s when Smith attacked and stabbed White and White’s client. The client was stabbed more than 10 times while trying to protect White, deputies stated. White died from her injuries. Smith fled the scene. But the morning after the attack, deputies discovered his body. It’s believed he died by suicide.
No Known Motive.
According to public records, Smith had a criminal history in Palm Beach County that included charges related to a sex offense and kidnapping. Authorities have not said why he confronted White or what led up to the attack.
However, it must be remembered that mental health counselors and other psychotherapists routinely treat clients with mental illnesses. As a result, they must always be on the lookout for irrational, aberrant, violent behavior such as this. They must take every precaution they can to prevent such incidents.
Authorities are still investigating, while colleagues, friends, and former clients remember White as a dedicated professional who cared deeply for her patients and her community. Her death has deeply affected Orlando’s mental health community.
I am in the process of writing an article about what psychotherapists should be doing to protect themselves from clients and ex-clients who may have borderline personality disorders, be stalking them, contemplate violent behavior, or otherwise pose a possible threat to them. Watch this space!
Contact Health Law Attorneys Experienced in Representation of Mental Health Counselors, Psychologists, Social Workers, and Family Therapists.
The attorneys of The Health Law Firm provide legal representation to mental health counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and family therapists in Department of Health (DOH) investigations, Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) investigations, professional counselor board investigations, board hearings, FBI investigations, and other types of investigations of health professionals and providers. To contact The Health Law Firm, please call (407) 331-6620 or toll-free at (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.
Sources:
Spitzer, Michelle. “Florida mental health counselor killed by former patient: What we know.” Florida Today. (January 23, 2026). Web.
Shepherd, Skylar. “Ex-client bursts into therapy session, fatally stabbing therapist, Florida deputies say.” CBS 12 News. (January 22, 2026). Web.
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law. He is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in the Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714, Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620
“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2026, George F. Indest III, The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any form in any medium without the express written permission of the copyright holder. The copyright holder reserves the exclusive right to have his name associated with this work.
