When there is sexual abuse in the psychotherapist-patient relationship, that patient suffers. This situation is caused by a professional with low ethical standards. The patient who suffers emotional abuse by a psychotherapist can take legal action.
Statistically speaking, approximately 4.4 percent of therapists admit to having sex with a client. The offending therapist is a male in four cases out of five. Those exploited are female in 88 to 92 percent of all reported cases. Some are minors.
This sexual abuse has a disturbing effect on someone who is already emotionally unstable. Fourteen percent try to kill themselves. One percent is successful at it. Over ten percent have to spend time in the hospital.
When a patient comes to a therapist with one disorder, sexual contact can initiate others. Clinical depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety are common. It is courageous to report the abuse. The person who does so shows great strength of character.
There is never a time when sex between the psychotherapist and patient is ethical. All states consider it to be malpractice at the very least. Many states call it criminal conduct prosecutable in a court of law.
The patient has recourse in three ways. She can initiate a civil lawsuit or file a criminal complaint. Alternatively, she can lodge a complaint with a licensing board in her state of residence.
She may be able to collect damages in a civil court. It can pay medical bills and fund future therapy with a new psychotherapist. Laws vary from state to state. It is best to contact an attorney before embarking on any course of action.
The criminal case brought against a psychotherapist depends largely on what the patient claims opposed to what the therapist denies. The attorney defending the therapist may use the tactic of claiming the patient is unstable and therefore, likely to be lying. If one psychotherapist, however, is accused by other patients, he is more likely to appear guilty to the jury.
If he has appeared before a review board multiple times it will not support his claim of innocence. Unfortunately, ethical standards regarding sex between therapist and patient is not taken seriously by the professional organizations. One prominent female psychiatrist resigned from the APA as a form of protest to their lack of concern.
Some professionals believe they are above the law. They show no restraint in initiating sex with a patient. Some are callous enough to claim it is good for the patient. Instead, they view it as unethical for a therapist to report another therapist for engaging in sex with a patient.
Attitudes like this are in blatant contrast to what the average person would consider ethical. These offenders are astute professionals who sit on committees, have positions of authority and hold professorships at universities.
Rehabilitative attempts have been made for these professionals who offend. However, the recidivism rate is high. In fact, it is comparable to the recidivism rate for sexual offenders in the general population.
Statistically speaking, approximately 4.4 percent of therapists admit to having sex with a client. The offending therapist is a male in four cases out of five. Those exploited are female in 88 to 92 percent of all reported cases. Some are minors.
This sexual abuse has a disturbing effect on someone who is already emotionally unstable. Fourteen percent try to kill themselves. One percent is successful at it. Over ten percent have to spend time in the hospital.
When a patient comes to a therapist with one disorder, sexual contact can initiate others. Clinical depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and anxiety are common. It is courageous to report the abuse. The person who does so shows great strength of character.
There is never a time when sex between the psychotherapist and patient is ethical. All states consider it to be malpractice at the very least. Many states call it criminal conduct prosecutable in a court of law.
The patient has recourse in three ways. She can initiate a civil lawsuit or file a criminal complaint. Alternatively, she can lodge a complaint with a licensing board in her state of residence.
She may be able to collect damages in a civil court. It can pay medical bills and fund future therapy with a new psychotherapist. Laws vary from state to state. It is best to contact an attorney before embarking on any course of action.
The criminal case brought against a psychotherapist depends largely on what the patient claims opposed to what the therapist denies. The attorney defending the therapist may use the tactic of claiming the patient is unstable and therefore, likely to be lying. If one psychotherapist, however, is accused by other patients, he is more likely to appear guilty to the jury.
If he has appeared before a review board multiple times it will not support his claim of innocence. Unfortunately, ethical standards regarding sex between therapist and patient is not taken seriously by the professional organizations. One prominent female psychiatrist resigned from the APA as a form of protest to their lack of concern.
Some professionals believe they are above the law. They show no restraint in initiating sex with a patient. Some are callous enough to claim it is good for the patient. Instead, they view it as unethical for a therapist to report another therapist for engaging in sex with a patient.
Attitudes like this are in blatant contrast to what the average person would consider ethical. These offenders are astute professionals who sit on committees, have positions of authority and hold professorships at universities.
Rehabilitative attempts have been made for these professionals who offend. However, the recidivism rate is high. In fact, it is comparable to the recidivism rate for sexual offenders in the general population.
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