Victims of therapist abuse may develop symptoms specific to common types of abuse. A victim’s injuries may include: Physical injuries resulting from sexual abuse Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Anxiety Depression You may not normally think of certain abuse symptoms as injuries. Many of these symptoms are psychological or emotional in nature, and may not reveal …
What does the Term “Breach of Boundaries” Mean in a Therapist Abuse Case?
The term “breach of boundaries” can mean several different things in a therapist abuse case. Examples of a therapist breaching a client’s personal boundaries may include: Engaging in unwanted physical or sexual contact with the patient Attempting to verbally coerce the patient into sexual conduct by threatening to share the client’s confidential information Attempting to …
Is It Important to Retain an Attorney Who Has Experience in Therapist Abuse Cases?
It is important to retain an attorney who has experience in therapist abuse cases if a trusted therapist violated you or a loved one. When a therapist takes advantage of you during your most vulnerable time, the therapist needs to be held legally accountable for his or her harmful actions. An attorney who has significant experience in …
Will My Therapy Abuse Case Settle out of Court?
Your therapy abuse case may settle out of court, and statistics indicate a settlement is more likely to occur than a full-blown trial. Indeed, most civil cases settle before going to trial. Therapy abuse cases are no exception. Every therapy abuse case is unique. Your case could be one of those that end up going …
What Does the Term Therapeutic Container Mean in a Therapist Abuse Case?
In therapist abuse cases, the term “therapeutic container” refers to the best practices a therapist must follow to maintain a professional distance from their clients. These best practices relate to a therapist’s physical relationship with the patient, as well as other aspects of therapy. Therapists who cross these boundaries may be endangering the well-being of …
Can I Bring a Licensing Board Case Against a Therapist?
You may bring a licensing board case against a therapist by filing a board complaint. Mental health professionals, including therapists, must meet the standards of a licensed practitioner with their behavior. If a therapist harmed you in any way, the appropriate licensing board should know about it. An attorney from our firm can help you …
What Are the Long-Term Effects of Abuse By A Therapist?
Our society is constructed so that it often blames the victim, and the victim, in turn, blames themselves. If you experienced therapy abuse, you may wonder what the long-term effects will be on your health and life. The impact of therapy abuse often leaves victims struggling with a contaminated identity, shame, shock, destroyed self-esteem, and …
Can You Report A Therapist For Unethical Behavior?
Therapy is the backbone of mental health services. However, it can be plagued with predatory individuals who can inflict great harm. The therapist-client relationship is built on trust, and when boundaries are crossed, it may leave you feeling defenseless or unsure of who to turn to. If your therapist is acting in an unethical, inappropriate, …
What Are the Most Common Ethical Violations in Therapy?
Individuals in positions of power sometimes abuse that power and harm others. Unfortunately, therapy is no exception. Therapy requires trust and vulnerability, making patients susceptible to being targeted and taken advantage of by bad actors. Some common violations are: Engaging in dual relationships Breach of confidentiality Unethical billing practices Sexual relationships Client abandonment Understanding Ethical …
What Is Unethical Behavior by a Therapist?
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), unethical behavior by a therapist generally means: Having more than one kind of relationship with a patient: Having a sexual relationship with a patient, for example, is generally considered unethical. Even having a personal relationship could be considered unethical, depending on the specifics. Oversharing information or unnecessarily violating …