The Oath

TVO•www.tvo.org

The Oath examines the case of Dr. Melvyn Iscove, whose medical license was revoked in 2018 for allegedly sexually abusing two patients. When journalist Krysia Collyer first came across Dr. Iscove’s case, it seemed straightforward—until she and her co-producer, Brennan Leffler, began digging.

What happened to those two patients was only part of a long, unusual story involving Iscove’s dedication to a largely forgotten 1950s psychoanalyst who believed homosexuality could be cured. The case raises serious questions about Ontario’s medical regulator: Can it be trusted to protect patients, and how does it handle potential cases of so-called “conversion therapy”?

From TVO Podcasts, The Oath is a six-part investigative series about the power we give our doctors—and what can happen if they cross a line. Follow The Oath on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen.

Last refreshed: August 17th, 2025 at 10:44 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

The Interview

The team tracks down Dr. Melvyn Iscove about 7 years after he lost his medical license. Over two candid, no-holds-barred interviews, Dr. Iscove speaks publicly for the first time. He explains his clinical practices, discusses the allegations against him, the patients who filed complaints, and reveals new, previously unheard details about his past. The eye-opening series finale of The Oath also raises fundamental questions about the role of the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. The O...

May 14, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 6

The College

During Dr. Melvyn Iscove's hearing, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario's (CPSO) Discipline Committee focused a lot on whether Dr. Iscove believed 2SLGBTQ+ patients could be "cured" of homosexuality. And according to the former CPSO investigator who looked into the complaints, that issue came up well before the hearing as well. But the College didn't appear to take a clear position – and hasn't offered much explanation why. The team behind The Oath examines the medical regulator's ...

May 07, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 5

Conversion

When the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario revoked Dr. Melvyn Iscove's license to practise medicine in 2018, multiple news reports linked his therapeutic methods to so-called conversion therapy–a widely discredited practice. Conversion therapy has been widely debunked as a legitimate treatment by leading psychiatric authorities, including the American Psychiatric Association. Experts emphasize that it doesn't work, and can be very harmful. In this episode, two survivors of apparent c...

Apr 30, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 4

The Berglerians

Born in 1899, Dr. Edmund Bergler was a respected psychoanalyst and worked at the Psychoanalytic Freud-Clinic in Austria. He wrote more than 20 books and published scores of articles. But today, his name is mostly forgotten-except among a small, loyal group of followers, including Dr. Melvyn Iscove, who used his methods for more than 40 years. Bergler was notable for many things, including coining the term "writer's block." He was also fascinated with certain sexual orientations, and believed tha...

Apr 23, 2025•22 min•Season 1Ep. 3

The Doctor

Who is Dr. Melvyn Iscove? It's a simple question with not a lot of simple answers. He was a classically trained pianist, an opera enthusiast, and a longtime supporter of Toronto's arts scene. Letters of support from his hearing describe him as "professional, kind, and considerate." But other former patients have a different story to tell-one of blurred boundaries, and a psychiatric relationship that, according to those patients, left lasting emotional scars. The Oath examines the case of Dr. Mel...

Apr 16, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 2

The Case

More than seven years ago, Toronto psychiatrist Dr. Melvyn Iscove lost his medical license for allegedly sexually abusing two of his male patients – allegations he continues to deny. One patient alleges that Dr. Iscove tried to convince him he was gay, despite his repeated denials. The other sought therapy for depression and anxiety, which he believed were linked to fears about his sexuality. Dr. Iscove's treatment for both was influenced by the theories of Dr. Edmund Bergler--a largely forgotte...

Apr 09, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1

Introducing 'The Oath'

Psychiatrists are held to a high standard for a reason: they see patients at their most vulnerable and are entrusted with their deepest secrets. So, what happens if a psychiatrist is accused of violating that trust? The Oath examines the case of Dr. Melvyn Iscove, whose medical license was revoked in 2018 for allegedly sexually abusing two patients. When journalist Krysia Collyer first came across Dr. Iscove's case, it seemed straightforward -- until she and her co-producer, Brennan Leffler, beg...

Apr 02, 2025•3 min

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