When I filed, I learned how truly unethical my therapist was and how thin the protections for the public. Two co-therapists turned into vengeful bullies when I tried to terminate, intimidating me into remaining in their toxic claws a few more weeks. Because it was group therapy, their humiliation was performed in front of an audience.

The psychiatric nurse, the one who said "something about you makes me want to kick you"? Her case wasn't heard at all. Meanwhile, the psychologist twisted events, portraying me as raging and psychotic. (I'm a mostly quiet, choose-my-words-carefully type.) He contradicted himself, both asserting that his vicious comments were to "challenge" me, while insisting I was incapable of discerning reality from transference. Never mind proving that opinion would require mind reading ability, or at least concrete verification.

I understand this kind of defense is common. I wasn't psychotic at all, in fact thriving under their ministrations, until I dared criticize my therapists.

So I lost my case. The psychologist got off unscathed, and today offers a gooey web video boasting his kindness and empathy. The retired psychiatric social worker paints smudged water colors and writes poorly-written articles for her neighborhood newsletter.

I understand that unless the provider does something concretely horrendous and provable, the client has no chance. (A reporter told me an infinitesimal fraction of judgments are decided for the client.) There are only a few narrow categories of ethical transgressions--mine was "failure to refer." I emerged convinced that the grievance process is more to offer an appearance of protecting the public than actually doing so.

I suggest contacting therapyabuse.org if contemplating the step. I recommend filling only when the client is ready to see the therapist's mask removed to reveal what a vicious, self-interested antagonist that person really is.