Mental health practitioners can help people struggling with life’s extraordinary challenges. This is especially true now as a post-COVID lifestyle has magnified stressors, and finding healthy outlets with family and friends has become increasingly difficult.
But along with the power to heal, therapists can inflict great harm if they abuse the trust placed in them. Their position of authority, combined with the vulnerability of their patients, creates the potential for countless forms of abuse, exploitation, and misconduct. The damage inflicted on patients through such misconduct can be lasting and irreversible.
If a therapist abused you, the Baltimore therapist abuse lawyers at Jenner Law will fight for your rights. We understand the significant harm that stems from therapist abuse, and we know firsthand the doubts and difficulties that victims of such abuse face. We understand the meaning of transference and the power imbalance that transference creates.
While other therapist abuse attorneys may want to blame the patient for what might look to the outside world as a consensual relationship, the Baltimore personal injury lawyers at Jenner Law understand that a romantic relationship between a therapist and a patient cannot be consensual and is inherently exploitative.
How do I Know If I Have a Case Against My Therapist?
Therapists are responsible for patients’ emotional and psychological well-being. Without realizing it, patients transfer perceptions and feelings toward therapists like a child interacts with a parent. This phenomenon, defined as transference, puts the therapist in a powerful position and leaves the patient vulnerable.
Abuse of transference may involve the improper prescription of drugs, a sexual relationship, psychological abuse, or physical abuse. This is why maintaining boundaries between patient and therapist is critical. Psychotherapy boundaries include:
- Sitting at a reasonable distance from the patient
- No physical contact other than a handshake or nonsexual hug
- Sessions lasting for set periods in the office
- No intentional contact outside of the office
- Focus on the patient and the patient’s problems at all times
- No revelation of intimate information from the therapist to the patient
- No business, sexual, social, or personal relationship with the patient other than psychotherapy
If a therapist violates these professional boundaries, it can indicate the possibility of abuse. Our Baltimore therapist abuse lawyers can help.
For a free legal consultation with a therapist abuse lawyer call,
(888) 585-2188
Types of Therapy Abuse
Therapy abuse takes many forms. For example, it can be related to emotional abuse or sexual assault. Any type of abuse or malpractice can be devastating for the victim.
Therapist malpractice can be characterized by the following:
- Emotional manipulation
- Verbal abuse
- Criticizing or disrespecting the client
- A violation of personal boundaries
- Confidentiality breaches
- A dependency encouraged by the therapist so that treatment becomes prolonged without notable progress
- Any type of sexual contact, including sexual abuse and assault
- Failure to adequately assess self-harm or potential suicide
When boundaries have deteriorated and the practitioner has fostered a dependency-based culture, the therapist can take advantage of a client’s vulnerability and develop a physical relationship. This is among the most well-known forms of boundary transgression. For example, a personal relationship may begin with a parting embrace, which can evolve into something more physical.
Eventually, this inappropriate behavior can result in the client developing intense feelings, perhaps romantically, which may not be mutual. It is not unheard of that the client can be convinced into thinking that sexual intimacy is simply part of their therapy.
Types of Compensation You May Be Entitled to
If a therapist abused you, you may be entitled to various types of compensation, depending on the specific circumstances and legal jurisdiction. Here are the primary types of compensation you might receive:
- Medical Expenses: Costs for physical and mental health treatment resulting from the abuse.
- Lost Wages: Compensation for any time the victim had to take off work due to the abuse or its aftermath.
- Emotional Pain and Suffering: Compensation for physical pain and emotional distress caused by the abuse.
- Loss of Enjoyment of Life: Compensation for the negative impact on the victim’s ability to enjoy life activities.
- Counseling Costs: Expenses for therapy or counseling needed to address the trauma caused by the abuse.
The exact compensation a person can receive depends on various factors, including the severity of the abuse, the evidence presented, and the legal framework in their jurisdiction. The Baltimore therapist abuse attorneys at Jenner Law specialize in this area and know how to seek appropriate compensation for your specific case.
A Therapist Abuse Lawyer Can Take Legal Action on Your Behalf
If you or a loved one is experiencing abuse at the hands of a therapist, there are two steps you can take: reporting the crime and seeking civil damages. In either case, the sooner you act, the quicker you can receive justice for the harm you or your loved one suffered.
- Report to Law Enforcement
If a criminal offense has been perpetrated against you, immediately contact the police. Sexual assault and other forms of physical abuse or threats of such abuse are violations of Maryland law, and your therapist can face serious consequences. This includes fines, jail time, and suspension of their licenses.
Note that the outcome of a criminal case against the perpetrator will not prevent you from seeking or receiving compensation in a civil lawsuit. Evidence from the criminal case could further support your right to financial recovery.
- Seek Civil Compensation
A civil action, in this case, serves to reimburse a victim who has suffered harm due to therapy abuse. Therapy abuse falls under malpractice law.
An attorney who specializes in helping victims of therapy abuse is your ally during this challenging time.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
A Therapy Abuse Attorney Can Support Your Case in Baltimore
After experiencing abuse by a therapist you trusted, you should not have to shoulder the burden of seeking justice alone. When you hire our team to represent you, we’ll handle the legal aspects of your case so you can focus on taking care of yourself.
Some of our services include:
- Giving you a safe, confidential space to discuss your experience
- Conducting a discrete investigation to collect evidence for your case
- Identifying all your potentially recoverable damages and their values
- Preparing a claim against the liable party
- Advocating for your best interests in and out of court
- Fighting for compensation to address your damages
You deserve a legal team you can rely on during this difficult time. The Jenner Law team has legal professionals who understand your challenges. We will represent you in the compassionate, caring way you deserve.
Contact Jenner Law for a Free Case Review
If you have experienced transference violations from a therapist, we can help you. Our Baltimore therapist abuse lawyers at Jenner Law are ready to fight for your financial recovery. We know that coming forward during this challenging time can be difficult. When you’re ready to talk, we’re ready to listen.
Contact us today for a confidential consultation regarding your case. Your initial consultation is free.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form