The practice of psychotherapy has been marred with cases of abuse for years. There are two ways therapists abusing their clients-emotionally and sexually. Sexual abuse has been checked by patients who report it to the relevant bodies and the responsible counselors arrested and prosecuted. The other form, emotional abuse by a psychotherapist has not been checked because victims rarely report it.
There are many reasons why people seek therapy. It is supposed to make clients feel happy, safe and secure. To achieve this, the therapeutic environment should be healthy and stable to build trust between the psychotherapist and client. In a trustworthy relationship, the client is able to express their emotions and feelings for the medical practitioner to help them make sense out of them.
The client-psychotherapist relationship is complicated and is not as easy as it sounds. For starters, the therapist has the power to influence the client who is mostly weak and vulnerable. A non professional psychotherapist takes advantage of the imbalance of power with dire consequences. It is even worse for patients who have been victims of such heinous crimes in the past since violation and therapy may be one and the same thing.
To differentiate violation and therapy, patients must always be on the watch out. Constantly ask yourself whether the relationship feels right. Also, examine the boundaries between the professional and personal relationship between you and your counselor. If the boundary seems a little bit blurry, it is time to run for the hills. Favors like reducing fees and other types of favors meant to make you feel special are not acceptable.
Another indicator of a blurry relationship is sessions that have no defined period of time. In addition, the client and therapist should not belong to the same social circles or attend similar events, professional or otherwise. In addition, the therapist must respect you as a client and adhere to professional guidelines on how he or she should treat you.
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.
If the description above fits you, it may be time to move out of the relationship. You may want to see another therapist, preferably one who does not know your previous one. Also, talk to your friend or someone you trust like a parent or spouse. Legal action may be necessary also because the law protects patients from abuse. In addition, consider launching a formal complaint with the board so that no one else goes through your experience.
Emotional abuse is extremely traumatizing especially coming from someone you trust with your innermost secrets. Many patients who are abused are not even aware of it, especially if the therapist is counseling them for another form of abuse. Such patients end up with even more emotional burdens while some of them are suicidal. Consequently, it is important to disengage from abusive relationships.
There are many reasons why people seek therapy. It is supposed to make clients feel happy, safe and secure. To achieve this, the therapeutic environment should be healthy and stable to build trust between the psychotherapist and client. In a trustworthy relationship, the client is able to express their emotions and feelings for the medical practitioner to help them make sense out of them.
The client-psychotherapist relationship is complicated and is not as easy as it sounds. For starters, the therapist has the power to influence the client who is mostly weak and vulnerable. A non professional psychotherapist takes advantage of the imbalance of power with dire consequences. It is even worse for patients who have been victims of such heinous crimes in the past since violation and therapy may be one and the same thing.
To differentiate violation and therapy, patients must always be on the watch out. Constantly ask yourself whether the relationship feels right. Also, examine the boundaries between the professional and personal relationship between you and your counselor. If the boundary seems a little bit blurry, it is time to run for the hills. Favors like reducing fees and other types of favors meant to make you feel special are not acceptable.
Another indicator of a blurry relationship is sessions that have no defined period of time. In addition, the client and therapist should not belong to the same social circles or attend similar events, professional or otherwise. In addition, the therapist must respect you as a client and adhere to professional guidelines on how he or she should treat you.
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.
If the description above fits you, it may be time to move out of the relationship. You may want to see another therapist, preferably one who does not know your previous one. Also, talk to your friend or someone you trust like a parent or spouse. Legal action may be necessary also because the law protects patients from abuse. In addition, consider launching a formal complaint with the board so that no one else goes through your experience.
Emotional abuse is extremely traumatizing especially coming from someone you trust with your innermost secrets. Many patients who are abused are not even aware of it, especially if the therapist is counseling them for another form of abuse. Such patients end up with even more emotional burdens while some of them are suicidal. Consequently, it is important to disengage from abusive relationships.
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