Relationship coach pleads guilty to misdemeanor

PROVO — A relationship coach with good intentions but missing credentials pleaded guilty Monday to a reduced charge.

Donna Weighill, 45, was originally charged in 4th District Court with five felonies of unlawful conduct for practicing without a license. However, as part of a plea deal, Weighill pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor charge of negligently practicing without a license, and the other charges were dropped.

She was ordered to give 60 hours of community service, pay a $580 fine and be on court probation for one year.

Weighill's case came to the attention of prosecutors through the Division of Occupational and Professional Licensing, which had investigated complaints.

According to court documents, in March 2007, Weighill counseled a couple with a husband who had a drinking problem. She told them her work was "coaching," because she wasn't licensed as a marriage and family therapist, the court documents said.

Defense attorney Shelden Carter said during that conversation, Weighill was negligent in making comments that could have been perceived as overstepping her coaching bounds and merging into therapy.

Weighill was ordered by the licensing division to stop providing such treatment, and the case was turned over to the Utah County Attorney's Office. Weighill was charged a few months later.

Weighill has also been a motivational speaker at Brigham Young University's Education Week and has lectured to LDS Church members.

— Sara Israelsen-Hartley