Recently, cases of counselors abusing their clients have been on the rise. In cases where the cases came to light, they were arrested and prosecuted. Meanwhile, another form of abuse has cropped up, and since it leaves no physical evidence, cases are not reported. Emotional abuse by a psychotherapist is as bad as sexual harassment. It leaves the victim confused and hurting, especially because it is from someone they trusted with their deepest secrets and vulnerabilities.
People go to therapy for a myriad of reasons. However, basically, it helps them gain security, safety and happiness in their lives. In a healthy and stable environment created by both parties, the client is able to open up about their innermost secrets, concerns and issues. To create such a stable and healthy environment, there should be trust between the patient and counselor.
The client-therapist relationship is, however, complicated. There is an imbalance of power with the counselor having a significant amount of power or influence over the client. Consequently, the relationship is open to abuse. Clients with a history of abuse are the most vulnerable because they may not differentiate between therapy and violation.
Patients must constantly ask themselves whether their relationship with their therapist is right. The best way to tell this is a close examination of the boundary between you as the patient and the counselor. A healthy should not have blurry relationship boundaries. For instance, you should not be offered therapy at a reduced fee as a favor. In fact, clients should not receive favors from their therapists.
Blurry relationships may also be signaled by the length of time a session lasts. Also, the two parties are not allowed to have the same social relationships or belong to same social circles. There should not be a personal relationship between the client and the therapist or the therapists family outside of the office since it could lead to conflicts of interest.
There are a few indicators to show an abusive therapeutic relationship. To start with, comments that degrade, humiliate, manipulate or shame you are a good sign that you fire the therapist. Its alright if the psychotherapist shows you things as they are but if gets out of hand and you feel embarrassed or shamed, it is not right. Also, you should not be made to feel that you need them or that they are the only ones who can help.
The first step is talk to a friend, spouse or parent in an attempt to seek out more information. Also, you might want to check the Internet for help. These sources of information will help you confirm whether your psychotherapist is abusing you. In addition, you may seek another therapist, probably one who does not your previous one. Lastly, you may contact legal counsel, launch a formal complaint with the board or go to the police.
It is traumatizing to be emotionally abused, especially, if done by someone you completely trusted. It is worse for patients who have been abused before. Some of them add to the emotional burdens they are carrying while others become suicidal.
People go to therapy for a myriad of reasons. However, basically, it helps them gain security, safety and happiness in their lives. In a healthy and stable environment created by both parties, the client is able to open up about their innermost secrets, concerns and issues. To create such a stable and healthy environment, there should be trust between the patient and counselor.
The client-therapist relationship is, however, complicated. There is an imbalance of power with the counselor having a significant amount of power or influence over the client. Consequently, the relationship is open to abuse. Clients with a history of abuse are the most vulnerable because they may not differentiate between therapy and violation.
Patients must constantly ask themselves whether their relationship with their therapist is right. The best way to tell this is a close examination of the boundary between you as the patient and the counselor. A healthy should not have blurry relationship boundaries. For instance, you should not be offered therapy at a reduced fee as a favor. In fact, clients should not receive favors from their therapists.
Blurry relationships may also be signaled by the length of time a session lasts. Also, the two parties are not allowed to have the same social relationships or belong to same social circles. There should not be a personal relationship between the client and the therapist or the therapists family outside of the office since it could lead to conflicts of interest.
There are a few indicators to show an abusive therapeutic relationship. To start with, comments that degrade, humiliate, manipulate or shame you are a good sign that you fire the therapist. Its alright if the psychotherapist shows you things as they are but if gets out of hand and you feel embarrassed or shamed, it is not right. Also, you should not be made to feel that you need them or that they are the only ones who can help.
The first step is talk to a friend, spouse or parent in an attempt to seek out more information. Also, you might want to check the Internet for help. These sources of information will help you confirm whether your psychotherapist is abusing you. In addition, you may seek another therapist, probably one who does not your previous one. Lastly, you may contact legal counsel, launch a formal complaint with the board or go to the police.
It is traumatizing to be emotionally abused, especially, if done by someone you completely trusted. It is worse for patients who have been abused before. Some of them add to the emotional burdens they are carrying while others become suicidal.
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