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.
The effect this has on someone already in emotional distress is devastating. Fourteen percent attempt to take their own lives. One percent have been successful. About eleven percent must be hospitalized as a result of the sexual abuse.
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.
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.
When a psychotherapist is brought up on charges, or brought before a review board multiple times, it does not indicate his innocence. Ethics in the area of therapist-patient sexual intimacy is not addressed adequately by The American Psychiatric Association. One female psychiatrist resigned from that august organization to protest the lack of concern.
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.
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.
The effect this has on someone already in emotional distress is devastating. Fourteen percent attempt to take their own lives. One percent have been successful. About eleven percent must be hospitalized as a result of the sexual abuse.
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.
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.
When a psychotherapist is brought up on charges, or brought before a review board multiple times, it does not indicate his innocence. Ethics in the area of therapist-patient sexual intimacy is not addressed adequately by The American Psychiatric Association. One female psychiatrist resigned from that august organization to protest the lack of concern.
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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