When you visit your therapist, you trust that they will act in your best interests. Whether you are working through an addiction, managing a chronic disorder, or just venting about your day, your therapist has a duty to act in a way that supports and enhances your well-being. Unfortunately, unscrupulous therapists may abuse patients when they are in this vulnerable state, which can cause lasting mental, physical, and emotional harm.
The Seattle therapy abuse lawyers at Jenner Law understand the difficulties patients face after suffering abuse at the hands of a therapist. With decades of experience assisting the victims of therapy abuse, medical malpractice, and personal injury, our attorneys strongly believe that you deserve justice and fair compensation for the injuries you sustain due to abusive therapy practices. We’re ready to listen to your story now.
How Is Therapy Abuse Defined in Seattle, Washington?
Per the American Psychological Association (APA), the fundamental intimacy of the relationship between patients and therapists can result in transference, in which the patient begins to see the therapist as a sort of parental figure. This creates a power dynamic that allows the therapist to convince the patient to do things they would otherwise question.
When a therapist manipulates or exploits their patient’s vulnerability, they are committing therapy abuse. Therapy abuse may take the form of verbal, mental, physical, sexual, or financial harm, including:
- Misdiagnosing a condition or prescribing unnecessary treatment
- Providing treatment in areas outside the therapist’s expertise
- Creating dependency to encourage the patient to continue treatment, even if it is not effective
- Emotional, verbal, or physical violence
- Sexual or romantic interactions
- Inappropriate discussions about the therapist’s personal life
- Emotional manipulation for the therapist’s personal gain
- Derogatory or disrespectful language or behavior
- Discrimination or stereotyping
- Communicating with the client outside the boundaries of a professional interaction
- Disclosing the client’s personal information to outside parties
The inherently emotional nature of a therapist-patient relationship can cloud the patient’s judgment and make it hard for them to determine whether the therapist has acted unprofessionally.
If you’re the victim of therapy abuse, consider reaching out to the Seattle therapy abuse lawyers at Jenner Law. We will provide you with a free consultation to help you move forward.
For a free legal consultation with a therapist abuse lawyer call,
(888) 585-2188
We Offer Responsive Legal Care to Injured Claimants in Seattle, WA
Jenner Law is well-versed in the many forms of therapy abuse. We understand that it can be difficult for a patient to come forward after they have experienced abuse, and we provide a judgment-free space where you can seek legal advice and determine your next steps.
Here’s what you can expect from our firm:
We Will Apply Our Years of Experience to Your Situation
Our therapy abuse lawyers have in-depth knowledge of the appropriate state and federal laws pertaining to codes of conduct, civil procedure, personal injuries, and medical malpractice.
With extensive experience navigating the complexities of therapy abuse cases, we know how to establish a solid case to seek the justice and compensation you deserve.
Our Seattle Therapy Abuse Lawyers Work on Contingency
Because each therapy case is unique, we cannot predict how much your settlement will be. We can, however, provide legal assistance at no upfront cost. In addition to providing a free consultation, we only take cases on a contingency-fee basis. That means if you don’t get paid, neither do we.
We Will Pursue Each of Your Injury-Related Expenses
With Jenner Law’s therapy abuse attorneys on the case, you can rest assured that we will pursue the maximum settlement amount for your losses. Recoverable damages in your case could comprise:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of income
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental and physical healthcare costs
We Will Apply the Law To Advance Your Case
To protect vulnerable patients from therapy abuse, Washington State has enacted numerous laws outlining acceptable practices for therapists under Washington Administrative Code 246-924-010. These rules define some responsibilities therapists have toward their patients.
For instance, therapists cannot discriminate against you (the patient) based on religion, race, ethnicity, gender, age, national origin, sexuality, disability, or socioeconomic status. They must also ensure your welfare as a patient with clear and thorough explanations of evaluations, treatments, and procedures consistent with the Uniform Care Information Act.
In some cases, an unethical therapist may encourage you to continue ineffective or harmful treatment to continue receiving income from you. This is a form of financial abuse, and it’s against Washington State law.
Washington State law also notes that therapists must always maintain a strictly professional relationship with their clients. This means that your therapist cannot have a past or present personal, social, financial, romantic, or other relationship with you or members of your family.
We Advocate for Survivors of Sexual Therapy Abuse
Sexual misconduct, whether that refers to inappropriate touching, romantic communication, and sexual activity, constitutes therapy abuse. The power dynamic inherent in the relationship between the therapist and their patient limits the patient’s ability to consent. If a therapist engages in a romantic or sexual relationship with their client, even if the client believes they are consenting, the therapist is still violating their ethics.
Jenner Law advocates for survivors of sexual abuse in Washington State. You can trust that with our team on your side, we will manage your case with the confidentiality, care, and compassion it deserves.
Contact Our Therapy Abuse Attorneys for a Free Consultation in Seattle
No matter how complex your case, the therapy abuse lawyers at Jenner Law will pursue justice and fair compensation for the difficulties you experienced as a result of therapy abuse.
We understand that a therapy abuse case is emotionally and mentally taxing, which is why we keep you up to date on developments throughout our partnership. From our initial consultation to your case’s final settlement, our team will be there to support you every step of the way.
If you have experienced abuse at the hands of a therapist in Seattle, contact Jenner Law today for a free consultation.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form