When an unhealthy relationship exists between patient and psychotherapist he or she will not benefit. This situation happens due to the professional having poor ethical standards. Whenever the patient suffers emotional abuse by a psychotherapist, legal action can be taken.
According to statistics, about 4.4 percent of all therapists admit to having sex with at least one client. In four out of five cases, the offender is male. Those who are exploited are female in eighty- eight to ninety-two percent of reported cases. Some of these are minors.
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.
Instead of getting better, the patient who came to an unethical psychotherapist with one disorder may add others. Sometimes clinical depression or anxiety are added. It is a courageous act to come forward and accuse the offender. It saves others from going through similar acts.
It is always unethical for a psychotherapist to have sexual contact with the patient. All states view it as malpractice. In some of those states it is a criminal offense that can be charged and prosecuted 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.
She may be able to collect damages in a civil court. It can pay medical bills and fund future therapy with a new psychotherapist. Laws vary from state to state. It is best to contact an attorney before embarking on any course of action.
The criminal case is dependent on what the victim claims and how the psychotherapist responds. An attorney may state that because the patient is unstable emotionally, she is lying about the abuse. However, if the therapist has been accused in the past, he may look guilty to the jury regardless of what he says.
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 professionals believe they are above the law. They show no restraint in initiating sex with a patient. Some are callous enough to claim it is good for the patient. Instead, they view it as unethical for a therapist to report another therapist for engaging in sex with a patient.
Attitudes like this are in blatant contrast to what the average person would consider ethical. These offenders are astute professionals who sit on committees, have positions of authority and hold professorships at universities.
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.
According to statistics, about 4.4 percent of all therapists admit to having sex with at least one client. In four out of five cases, the offender is male. Those who are exploited are female in eighty- eight to ninety-two percent of reported cases. Some of these are minors.
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.
Instead of getting better, the patient who came to an unethical psychotherapist with one disorder may add others. Sometimes clinical depression or anxiety are added. It is a courageous act to come forward and accuse the offender. It saves others from going through similar acts.
It is always unethical for a psychotherapist to have sexual contact with the patient. All states view it as malpractice. In some of those states it is a criminal offense that can be charged and prosecuted 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.
She may be able to collect damages in a civil court. It can pay medical bills and fund future therapy with a new psychotherapist. Laws vary from state to state. It is best to contact an attorney before embarking on any course of action.
The criminal case is dependent on what the victim claims and how the psychotherapist responds. An attorney may state that because the patient is unstable emotionally, she is lying about the abuse. However, if the therapist has been accused in the past, he may look guilty to the jury regardless of what he says.
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 professionals believe they are above the law. They show no restraint in initiating sex with a patient. Some are callous enough to claim it is good for the patient. Instead, they view it as unethical for a therapist to report another therapist for engaging in sex with a patient.
Attitudes like this are in blatant contrast to what the average person would consider ethical. These offenders are astute professionals who sit on committees, have positions of authority and hold professorships at universities.
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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