Any Unethical Treatment By Psychotherapist May Result In Criminal Charges

By Jocelyn Davidson


A competent psychotherapist can bring about beneficial changes in the life of an emotionally disturbed individual. However, there are those who only do further harm. It should be noted that when a patient reports unethical treatment by psychotherapist it may be true.

In spite of the fact that it is detrimental to the welfare of the patient, some therapists will initiate sexual contact with her. The woman who turns to him for help due to a mental or emotional disorder is further burdened with another negative experience. There is never a time when this is beneficial to the client.

A client may also develop a romantic interest in the therapist. If she tries to make physical contact it is up to the therapist to stop her. A respectable distance must always be respected.

Not all abused clients report what happened. But, over four percent of patients are brave enough to report sexual advances. In most cases a male therapist abuses a female patient. However, two percent of female therapists admit to having sexual contact with a male patient.

Any patient who is sexually abused may end up as an inpatient instead of an outpatient. Many are hospitalized after attempting suicide. Of the four percent who make an attempt, one percent are successful.

In the relationship between therapist and client there must be a certain level of caring expressed. Without caring and trust, the client is unable to respond to treatment. Sometimes that caring is mistaken for romantic interest and causes a problem for the client.

The psychotherapist is always responsible for maintaining a professional physical and emotional distance. If it cannot be maintained, perhaps another therapist should take over the case. This may require a careful transfer to avoid making a client feel rejected.

Some professionals do not accept the fact that sexual abuse of a patient is not only unethical, but also illegal. In some states it is an offense punishable by prison time. In all it is at least a misdemeanor. It takes a brave patient to report such abuse.

It is difficult to prove the therapist is guilty. When the word of a mentally disturbed woman is weighed against that of a respected professional, it is obvious who is likely to be more believable. The patient may be left in a worse mental state than when she first asked for help.

Hiring an attorney before making the decision to report the situation is the best thing to do. One of three things may happen. He will be sanctioned by the review board that governs his profession. He will be sent to prison if found guilty in a criminal court of law. Finally, he may be ordered to pay damages if found guilty in civil court.

A civil court may award financial compensation to cover medical bills and future therapy. The amount differs in each case. In addition, she may collect money in the form of punitive damages.

Filing a criminal complaint is her second choice. If she wins her case, the guilty therapist will go to prison for a length of time. The third choice is to file a complaint with an official review board. This may result in the therapist being sanctioned or having his license to practice taken away.




About the Author:



Aucun commentaire:

Enregistrer un commentaire