Quote:
Originally Posted by here today
I agree that those of us who have experienced therapy trauma and harm have important information that could be used to inform others and prevent further trauma.
I'm not sure how effective individual action targeted at one aspect of the problem will be, however. Although, at least you are proposing one specific action plan and I remain kinda stuck.
I would prefer to expose the underbelly of the mental health profession, which I see as possibly competent and relatively caring members of the profession ignoring and tolerating systemic problems, including bad apples, which harm people who come to them for help and care.
There is a conference (again) this week about sex abuse in the Catholic Church. It's taken such a long time -- are there parallels with that situation that we could learn from? What did it take to get that issue addressed directly? And even now that it is being addressed, it is still hard, apparently, for church officials to take action against their colleagues. The Pope did, this week, call sex abuse an "evil".
I think what happened to me has been evil, too. Maybe not consciously in my case, but in their unconsciousness and denial, therapists have been pretty useless for my situation, despite my best efforts and seeking help that I did not know was incapable of helping me. So, in my case, going to therapy all those years was an exercise in putting myself down, and getting put down further by therapists and the therapy process, which did not help.
It's hard to describe or put a name on it, though, for people who have not experienced it. Maybe that is a place to put some more effort -- collect more of our stories, identify commonalities?
|
In Bold: I agree. The biggest way to expose the healthcare system entirely is to prove that alteration of medical records is systemic. That it happens in public, private and non-profit sectors and that it allows those in power to abuse vulnerable people. Basically they control the only evidence that exists. Taking away the power of their health records COULD mean they will be unable to lie and cover-up misdeeds. It is a step in the right direction.
I believe this is the start for accountability. Sure, there are advocacy organizations who speak up about abuses and create platforms for survivors to speak up - that must continue. But the big picture IS the legal aspect. How do situations like these play out in court proceedings and or complaint processes? First thing lawsuits do is subpeona the health records, (which are the property of the therapist that is being sued, who can also alter and modify the records before they are released). Add to this that in complaint processes, the first thing that happens is the professional gets a copy of the complaint, then they are asked to provide copies of the session notes as they are the only evidence that exists... (Conflict of interest!) They are given the copy of the complaint and they have the ability to alter their records knowing what the specifics of the complaint are! How much more corrupt could the system be!?
Notes in a court of law play a major role. They reflect the professionals opinion and also reflect the mental stability of the client. It sure doesn't take much to destroy a survivor's voice. Sometimes they don't even get to speak in court because they are deemed mentally unfit to do so.
The entire problem in healthcare is lack of accountability and power imbalance. Those qualities fester into environments rife with abuse. Until those things change, abuse will simply get worse over time because no one is held accountable and they can protect themselves all they want.
Alteration of medical records is paramount to changing policy and legislation and minimizing abuse within healthcare. Advocacy, public inquiries, lawsuits and complaints all serve a valuable purpose of spreading awareness, but it doesn't keep those in power from abusing if they want to... Exposing the systemic issues surrounding alteration of legal health records would mean they are no longer considered evidence in a court of law (because no one can prove they have been changed or not).
Thanks,
HD7970ghz