Many people depend on a therapist to help them cope with traumatic events or mental illness. Unfortunately, some therapists exploit their clients’ trust and engage in sexual abuse. This is unacceptable, and our lawyer serving Boston wants to help you seek justice after such abuse.
A Boston therapist abuse lawyer from Jenner Law can help you better understand your legal options. Call today to get a free case review, learn more about our services, and hear about the merits of your case.
What does Therapist Sex Abuse Compensation Include in Boston?
You have been through a terrible experience thanks to a person you trusted. That person should be made to pay for the harm they caused—and Jenner Law can confront them on your behalf to see that they do so. Among other things, you can pursue compensation for:
- Emotional trauma and distress, including diagnosable mental illnesses (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD))
- Medical costs associated with seeking treatment for the physical and emotional injuries caused by the abuse
- Reduced quality of life if your experience has made it difficult to connect with others, participate in healthy relationships, advance in your career, or enjoy activities you used to love
We Pursue Damages for Current and Future Sex Abuse Injuries
Even after the abuse ends, you may continue to feel its effects for a long time to come. Part of our job is to calculate the value of both the short- and long-term effects of the abuse. This way, our clients recover compensation for what they have already suffered as well as what they will likely suffer down the road.
The Statute of Limitations on Therapist Sex Abuse Cases in Boston
In most cases, per MGL c. 260 § 2A, sex abuse survivors have three years to bring a case against an abusive therapist. Some people may have extra time (e.g., if you were a minor when the abuse happened), but it is better not to rely on this possibility. Instead, you should get started on your case quickly.
Call Jenner Law today for a free consultation. Members of our team are standing by to tell you more about how our Boston therapist sexual abuse lawyers can help you.
For a free legal consultation with a therapist sexual abuse lawyer call,
(888) 585-2188
We Protect Therapist Sex Abuse Survivors in Boston
At Jenner Law, we understand what a sensitive and difficult matter this is. You have already had your trust violated once before, so the thought of sharing your trauma with an attorney you do not know very well is understandably daunting.
That said, there are many reasons to consider getting in touch with us, and there are many ways that we can make this process easier on you. Our services include:
Collecting Evidence of Therapist Sexual Abuse
Evidence in therapist abuse cases may include testimony from you, your therapist’s notes, any prior complaints against your therapist, and medical records that document any injuries you sustained because of the abuse.
Confronting Your Abusive Therapist
The prospect of having to face your abuser might be enough to put you off filing a case against them. Fortunately, with Jenner Law on the job, you do not have to worry about this. Our Boston therapist sexual abuse lawyers can handle:
- All phone calls
- All in-person and virtual meetings
- The important task of relaying messages from their side to yours
Pursuing Compensation for the Therapist Sexual Abuse
There is often more than one way to tackle a case like yours. In many situations, we are able to secure a pretrial settlement. In the relatively rare cases where going to court is necessary, we can:
- Present your case in front of a jury that we help select
- Work with you to decide if you want to testify in court or submit a written statement—and help you prepare either way
- Keep the lines of communication open with your abuser’s team, just in case they want to offer a last-minute settlement
Several of our team members are also trauma-informed. This means that we have received specialized training on how to help people who have suffered trauma. We’ll never do anything that might make you feel uncomfortable or think we doubt your story. You can trust our team to create a safe space and always advocate for you and your best interests.
How does Therapist Sexual Abuse Happen?
The first thing you should know is that the abuse was not your fault. Your therapist has exploited a phenomenon called transference, which happens when a patient begins to view their therapist as a friend or potential romantic partner rather than a healthcare provider.
Transference is often a natural part of the healing process. If and when transference occurs, it is the therapist’s job to address it in a professional manner and maintain proper distance. Under no circumstances should they encourage or exploit the feelings you experience as a result of transference.
How Transference Leads to Therapist Abuse
Any good therapist will know about transference and be trained in various methods of helping their patients better process what they are feeling. An abusive therapist might choose to ignore that training and engage in inexcusable practices, such as:
- Sharing details of their personal lives with the patient
- Accepting presents from (or giving presents to) the patient
- Spending extra time with the patient for no charge
- Approaching or spending time with the patient outside of their scheduled sessions
- Engaging in any romantic or sexual behaviors with the patient
This breach of boundaries can create a dangerous, abusive environment.
Therapist Sex Abuse Is Illegal in Massachusetts
You can find the commonwealth’s Ethical Codes and Standards of Conduct for mental health professionals at 262 CMR 8. In particular, Section 8.02(2) deals with client relationships. It specifically says that:
- Therapists are not allowed to “engage in romantic or sexual relationships” with their clients or anyone close to their clients.
- Therapists must keep all of your information confidential. That means they cannot share what you talk about with anyone else.
- Therapists can never promise any sort of relationship or bond with the client outside of the bounds of the provider/patient relationship.
If your therapist violated any or all of the standards listed in the Ethical Codes, you have rights, and our Boston therapist sexual abuse lawyers can help you exercise them.
Click to contact our Massachusetts Therapist Sexual Abuse Lawyers today
Start a Case Against Your Abusive Boston Therapist Today
As a sexual abuse survivor, you deserve the chance to hold your abuser accountable and protect others from similar exploitation. Call Jenner Law today for a free case evaluation. Our Boston therapist sexual abuse attorney will charge no attorney’s fees until you win your case.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form