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.
Over four percent of therapists confess to engaging in sexual contact with the client. The accused is male in the preponderance of cases. Eight-eight to ninety-two percent of the victims are women. Many are not of legal age.
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.
A civil court can award money for damages. Punitive damages may be added to punish the offender. The best way for the victim to proceed is to engage the services of an attorney. An attorney can give legal advice plus represent her in court as the case proceeds. The laws in each state may vary.
In court it becomes a matter of who said what. A defense attorney may use the tactic of calling the patient a liar and pointing out the fact that she is unstable. When a psychotherapist faces a similar charge multiple times he loses his credibility. A jury will not view him the same way if there have been previous incidents.
Numerous incidents of this nature are not likely to speak well for him. It does not indicate innocence when more than one person claims abuse. Ethics in this area have not been viewed seriously in the past. In fact, one prominent female psychiatrist resigned from The American Psychiatric Association due to its lack of concern regarding complaints brought by patients.
Some individuals consider themselves to be above the law. They show no restraint when it comes to having sexual relations with a patient. Some even say it is beneficial to the patient. They also may consider it unethical to report another therapist for doing the same thing.
Most people would consider that ludicrous. These professionals are highly educated and hold prominent positions in society. They include professors and administrators of psychiatric institutions. Those accused return to the same behavior after being cleared of charges. Rehabilitation programs have not shown good results.
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.
Over four percent of therapists confess to engaging in sexual contact with the client. The accused is male in the preponderance of cases. Eight-eight to ninety-two percent of the victims are women. Many are not of legal age.
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.
A civil court can award money for damages. Punitive damages may be added to punish the offender. The best way for the victim to proceed is to engage the services of an attorney. An attorney can give legal advice plus represent her in court as the case proceeds. The laws in each state may vary.
In court it becomes a matter of who said what. A defense attorney may use the tactic of calling the patient a liar and pointing out the fact that she is unstable. When a psychotherapist faces a similar charge multiple times he loses his credibility. A jury will not view him the same way if there have been previous incidents.
Numerous incidents of this nature are not likely to speak well for him. It does not indicate innocence when more than one person claims abuse. Ethics in this area have not been viewed seriously in the past. In fact, one prominent female psychiatrist resigned from The American Psychiatric Association due to its lack of concern regarding complaints brought by patients.
Some individuals consider themselves to be above the law. They show no restraint when it comes to having sexual relations with a patient. Some even say it is beneficial to the patient. They also may consider it unethical to report another therapist for doing the same thing.
Most people would consider that ludicrous. These professionals are highly educated and hold prominent positions in society. They include professors and administrators of psychiatric institutions. Those accused return to the same behavior after being cleared of charges. Rehabilitation programs have not shown good results.
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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