ATKINSON — The state is taking action against Diaper Spa owner Colleen Ann Murphy over the possible unlawful and unlicensed medical practice of her business.
Murphy will face three public disciplinary hearings to determine if she illegally operated Diaper Spa without medical certification in psychology, general medicine and mental health practices.
The New Hampshire Office of Professional Licensure and Certification, Division of Enforcement issued the hearing notices after holding an emergency meeting on the issue, according to documents obtained.
Two hearings are scheduled for March 1, before the Board of Psychologists and the Board of Mental Health Practice, and will take place at the Licensure Office, 7 Eagle Square, Concord. She will go before the Board of Medicine on March 6, the Licensure Office announced on Friday.
The boards will decide if she engaged in the unlawful and unlicensed practices of psychology and mental health, in addition to the unlawful practice of medicine.
The Board of Medicine hearing was previously scheduled for an earlier date.
The Diaper Spa, at 23 Pope Road, caters to adults aged 21 and older, serving “all diaper-wearing individuals who seek acceptance, respite, and care” in a nursery-like atmosphere.
Public concern over the nature of the business arose on Jan. 24 as the business, which operated out of Murphy’s home, advertised services and public activities which raised eyebrows — like play dates at the local park and the “Little Friends Play Date” service.
Both of those have since been removed from Diaper Spa’s website, along with most of the site’s first iteration.
Murphy was denied a special exemption permit to operate a home business from Atkinson’s Zoning Board of Adjustment on Wednesday night as her business application failed to meet certain zoning requirements.
During the public hearing, Murphy told the board that the Diaper Spa was a nonmedical practice where she does not prescribe medication or make any medical diagnoses.
She labeled her business as a “safe place” and “nonjudgmental environment” for adult regression. Murphy said it was also a place for decompression and relaxation for those who suffered past trauma.
The board asked her if she was a mental health counselor.
“Counselor is not a protected term in New Hampshire or the United States,” Murphy said.
However, she stated she performs mental health coaching through telehealth and not in-person.
Her submitted application requested an appeal of the zoning board for a home-occupation permit for “mental health counseling.”
Murphy told the board she is not a licensed professional counselor, but added she is an ordained minister who can perform counseling under those services.
She said she has worked in the medical community for more than 20 years and in nursing homes and hospitals. Murphy said she has helped nurses as a nurse’s aide and the diaper changing at the Diaper Spa mimics a hospital manner.
“It’s done in a clinical manner just as it would be done in a nursing home,” Murphy said.
She said there would be no genital contact with adults receiving her service. ZBA Vice Chair Bob Connors told Murphy that she stated to the board she would be changing the adult diapers and there would be no sexual contact.
“Changing an adult’s diaper and coming in contact with adults in New Hampshire law for a fee, that’s illegal,” Connors said.
It is unclear if Murphy has or had a registered medical license in New Hampshire.
According to the New Hampshire Online Licensing website, there is no listing for a medical license for the name Colleen Ann Murphy.
Murphy has a medical license through the state of New York which is valid through October 2025.
In Maine, she was licensed as a medical doctor from February 2016 to Nov. 30, 2023.
A business application with New Hampshire was rejected in December 2023 for the Diaper Spa.
According to her statements to the Zoning Board of Adjustment, Murphy operated the Diaper Spa for four to six weeks before the building inspector visited her home and she stopped her services.
Murphy’s Maine medical license lapsed from December 2023 to this past Jan. 27. On Jan. 28, a new medical license was issued and lists Atkinson as her residence.
According to her Maine license, she does not have certification in internal medicine or psychiatry.
Editor’s note: This story was updated on Friday to reflect changes to the dates of public disciplinary hearings with the state.