A Mahoning Valley licensed counselor who has done sports performance counseling for Youngstown State University athletes is suspended from his practice for three years beginning July 1, 2021, according to a consent agreement.

The agreement is with the state of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist Board.

According to the terms, Joseph Marzano was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a client for a period beginning in 2019 and ending in September 2020.

Also, Marzano must receive counseling from a board-approved practictioner for two years; and after his reinstatement he must be supervised in all aspects of his practice for a two-year period.

Marzano signed the agreement May 6.

Douglas E. Graff of Columbus, Marzano’s attorney, was contacted by the newspaper for a comment about the accusation against Marzano, but he did not respond. Also Ron Cole, spokesman for YSU, did not respond to an email seeking comment.

Marzano has been a mental health provider in the Youngstown and Warren region since 1994. He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1992 at Bowling Green State University. He completed the master’s program in community counseling at Youngstown State University and was licensed in Ohio as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in 1995. He earned a doctoral degree in clinical psychology in 2006 with the completion of his dissertation on the study of psychotherapeutic outcomes in relation to the therapeutic alliance between the patient and clinician.

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