[Cynefrid]

Several violations of the code of ethics have occurred, and resulted in significant damage. Actions include wrongful termination, unlawful breaches of confidentiality and much more.

Option 1 – contacting her licensing organization directly:
Advantages: I have full control over the letter and can express better my feelings and thoughts

Option 2 – having a lawyer contact her organization
Advantages: more professional; better chance of ruling in my favor (?)
Disadvantages : she has more money than me and this can be an advantage for her, it turns into an open conflict which might prevent us from reaching the truth, more strangers access my private files, (?)

What do you think is best?
My goals: finding out if I was treated wrongly (very likely), finding out the reason for her (in my opinion unethical) actions, justice, punishement.

I'm very sorry to hear this happened to you. It's hard to advise you when we don't know where you are, though - as you are no doubt aware, laws and mental health systems are very different in different parts of Europe. I'm not saying that you need to disclose your location, just that it's very hard to say what might be the best course of action for you.

In Sweden, I'd definitely go for option one. I don't even know how I would go about getting a lawyer to do it, and it would just be an extra unnecessary layer between yourself and the truth - or so I would think.

[Cynefrid]

Originally Posted by Mastodon

I'm very sorry to hear this happened to you. It's hard to advise you when we don't know where you are, though - as you are no doubt aware, laws and mental health systems are very different in different parts of Europe. I'm not saying that you need to disclose your location, just that it's very hard to say what might be the best course of action for you.

In Sweden, I'd definitely go for option one. I don't even know how I would go about getting a lawyer to do it, and it would just be an extra unnecessary layer between yourself and the truth - or so I would think.

It concerns a country where psychologists' organizations are serious and I believe self-policing, so in this regard it might be compared to Sweden.

They wouldn't just ignore my letter so to say, but give it serious consideration.

Perhaps one option might be to send my letter first, then if I feel it's not taken seriously, hire a lawyer.
The T in question has given her consent to me contacting the org (not that it's essential), and it might be that I'm wrong about my accusations, so I'd wish to maintain a peaceful relationship.

My priority one is finding out the truth and better understanding; I think it's valuable what you said about one extra layer between me and the truth.

[precaryous]

I am sorry that you, also, have been exploited by a T. May I ask - what license does this T hold...social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist?

I don't know anything about how these things are done in Europe ...but my first reaction is that..for me in the US...success depended on what I could prove ..through letters, calendars, bank records, DNA, etc...not whether I was telling the truth, not whether I knew I was right...not whether I had a lawyer, or not.

i didn't need a lawyer to go with me to be interviewed by the medical licensing board. They believed me and, after a lengthy process, revoked his license.

I did have a lawyer for the civil and criminal cases.

I will tell you that I found all of the litigation to be *another* victim-blaming, anxiety provoking, frustrating, loooong trauma that interfered with healing and getting on with life. The cases lasted at least three years, due to heinous manipulation by the other side.

I didn't know what I was getting into.

Good luck, I will help you as much as I am able. I know I could have used more help.
Pre

Sadly, T's take advantage because they think the client won't be able to "prove" wrongdoing. They ask their colleagues to "cover for them". What kind of human being is that???

I hope you find justice.

[precaryous]

If you are just after the truth of the matter, may be mistaken, would like to maintain peace...and the T in question is cooperative.....would it be possible to find a neutral therapist to act as moderator for both of you...and avoid filing any accusations?

Originally Posted by precaryous

If you are just after the truth of the matter, may be mistaken, would like to maintain peace...and the T in question is cooperative.....would it be possible to find a neutral therapist to act as moderator for both of you...and avoid filing any accusations?

Good idea Precaryous. Wonder if Cynefrid's T would cooperate? Wonder why Cynefrid's T did not clear up this matter with her before she had to resort to coming to PC for help? She may have to continue with her plan if her T is not cooperative. Some people have to go all the way because T refuses to admit things. It's a terrible situation to be in and I feel very bad for Cynefrid.

[precaryous]

I think I meant "mediator".but you guys understand what I meant.

Cynefrid: If you consider Precaryous' suggestion, just be sure you do not let T and mediator gang up on you and try to convince you its all your fault. My T actually tried to convince me I was "delusional". I don't know if anyone else can beat that nonsense but just stay on guard please.

[Cynefrid]

Thank you for the suggestions, sadly I see I'm not alone in this situation.
I can't put this matter aside, despite warnings of it not being a healing process.

Situations I will take up are ignorance of the ethical code, wrongful termination, breaches of confidentiality, misrepresenting skills and qualifications, not supervising the work and a few more...

I appreciate the idea of the mediator.
The organization in question is the Polish Psychological Association,
Portal PTP - CODE OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS FOR THE PSYCHOLOGIST

which I hope is serious, but I don't really know.

A mediator might be the best option to start with? Yet I'm told by another therapist abroad that, if the violations had occured abroad, she'd lose the licence for sure.

Yes, she would cooperate with the mediating process. In fact she herself is ok with me contacting the organization, we talked about it.

I have documentation to prove the truth of what I claim, for example recordings.
I want the truth, but justice also.

Would it be reasonable to try mediation first, then a lawyer? Would that prevent me from hiring a lawyer later, if unsuccessful? Any pitfalls I don't see? I just want peace, and hope I'm wrong about everything, and was treated fairly, but it seems really unlikely.

Thank you so much, sincerely. Losing a T is bad enough as it is..
Background education is psychologist, licensed.

[missbella]

Though this is a US-based website, they've been around many years and perhaps could have resources internationally.
TELL: Therapy Exploitation Link Line

It can be difficult to know whom to trust. My subsequent treating therapist was far more invested in discouraging me from taking action than use was in helping me. She pushed acting as a mediator, but I didn't go that route. I found the most important thing was to find my own balance, hold my own truths to immunize myself against anyone else with an agenda. My filing a complaint came far later.

[Ididitmyway]

This is not the question of "should", it's a question of what you WANT to do.

If your major goal is to get more information about whether your therapist behaved unethically, you can browse through the following websites:Therapy Consumer Guide | An Educational Portal for Consumers of Mental Health Services and TELL: Therapy Exploitation Link Line for more information.

If your goal is to serve justice through filing a board complaint or a lawsuit, you can also find some info about that on the websites above and talk to someone directly through the websites' contact forms.

I am not sure what you mean by saying you'd like to find out the reason for your therapist's unethical actions. You mean you want to understand her personal reasons for why she did whatever she did? What does it have to do with any civil action you are contemplating against her and how is this going to help you in any way, not to mention that it's an impossible task?

[Restin]

Cynefrid, I'm no expert on the law, but I know a few things about human nature. I think you need to be very sure that any hopes for reconciliation with this T are completely over in your mind before taking these steps. In my experience with life, there is no such thing as a "peaceful" lawsuit or report to authorities. It's a very serious undertaking and may come back to hurt you more than anyone.

[Ididitmyway]

Mediator could help is he or she is honestly committed to being neutral and objective, but you won't know that in advance.

I had three mediators to help me in my situation with my unethical therapist and only one of them was helpful. The other two just added to the trauma by being clearly protective of my therapist and putting all the blame on me. So, while you can keep mediation in mind, make sure that the mediating therapist is comfortable with the task and wouldn't add to your trauma.

I'd suggest though to clarify for yourself what you want. If you want to come to a mutual understanding and reconciliation with your therapist then don't contemplate any punitive actions against her until you realize that reconciliation is not possible. The agenda of reconciliation and the agenda of punishment are mutually exclusive and no action will be successful if you try to execute both.

I have an impression that there is a internal rift within you about what you actually want, and whenever such conflict is present it's better not to take any action until you sort it all out and get clear with yourself about what you want. Honesty is paramount when you try to answer this question for yourself.

[Cynefrid]

Originally Posted by Ididitmyway

Mediator could help is he or she is honestly committed to being neutral and objective, but you won't know that in advance.

I had three mediators to help me in my situation with my unethical therapist and only one of them was helpful. The other two just added to the trauma by being clearly protective of my therapist and putting all the blame on me. So, while you can keep mediation in mind, make sure that the mediating therapist is comfortable with the task and wouldn't add to your trauma.

I'd suggest though to clarify for yourself what you want. If you want to come to a mutual understanding and reconciliation with your therapist then don't contemplate any punitive actions against her until you realize that reconciliation is not possible. The agenda of reconciliation and the agenda of punishment are mutually exclusive and no action will be successful if you try to execute both.

I have an impression that there is a internal rift within you about what you actually want, and whenever such conflict is present it's better not to take any action until you sort it all out and get clear with yourself about what you want. Honesty is paramount when you try to answer this question for yourself.

Yes, it's like that. Thank you.

[Cynefrid]

Originally Posted by Restin

Cynefrid, I'm no expert on the law, but I know a few things about human nature. I think you need to be very sure that any hopes for reconciliation with this T are completely over in your mind before taking these steps. In my experience with life, there is no such thing as a "peaceful" lawsuit or report to authorities. It's a very serious undertaking and may come back to hurt you more than anyone.

A polite request for mediation it is then, with questions asked instead of accusations, because I can't bear the idea of giving up on reconciliation quite yet.
Thank you for saying it clearly.