Freudian slip: Therapist jailed for sexual relationship with a patient | FOX6Now.com

This story interested me especially the extreme change in feelings felt by the client. Now the client wishes the therapist dead and doesn't even trust himself.

This is a very real danger I see with therapy. Not just the abuse but you can be dealing with such intense feelings. And even without the abuse, managed incorrectly can do so much harm

[precaryous]

Happened to me. I feel the same way. I’m lucky (and he’s lucky) I don’t live near him anymore.

Thanks for posting. Therapist exploitation is still certainly a current issue and we need to study it and have open discussions about it. Its like it’s a taboo subject.

[CantExplain]

Even well-meaning incompetence can be very damaging.

[precaryous]

Originally Posted by CantExplain

Even well-meaning incompetence can be very damaging.

Yes, there are all kinds of reasons therapists do this. Sometimes they really feel they are in love with the patient/client.

Originally Posted by CantExplain

Even well-meaning incompetence can be very damaging.

Very true

[HD7970GHZ]

Thank you for sharing this. Please post this link in the Survivors of Unethical Therapy thread. It is in the psychotherapy subsection.

Thanks,
Hd7970ghz

Originally Posted by Client xx

Freudian slip: Therapist jailed for sexual relationship with a patient | FOX6Now.com

This story interested me especially the extreme change in feelings felt by the client. Now the client wishes the therapist dead and doesn't even trust himself.

This is a very real danger I see with therapy. Not just the abuse but you can be dealing with such intense feelings. And even without the abuse, managed incorrectly can do so much harm

Of course. But not always. I mean. I've been crossing a busy road for 50 some years and guess what. I've not been run over yet.

[junkDNA]

Originally Posted by CantExplain

Even well-meaning incompetence can be very damaging.

"the road to hell is paved with good intentions"

[junkDNA]

I wish it was criminal in my state

[DP_2017]

Originally Posted by junkDNA

I wish it was criminal in my state

I assumed it was in all states. I know for some places, like here, there's a certain number of years after therapy before its "ok" but I didn't think any state was "ok" with it when it was a current client, yikes

[Anne2.0]

Originally Posted by DP_2017

I assumed it was in all states. I know for some places, like here, there's a certain number of years after therapy before its "ok" but I didn't think any state was "ok" with it when it was a current client, yikes

You'd be surprised how much criminal law varies across states. I am pretty sure that the civil (licensing) laws for therapists penalize, at least potentially, therapists by permanent removal of licensure. It is another step to criminalize the act that many states have not taken.

This case, and all exploitation by therapists, is awful. Just reading about the terrible consequences this client suffered is enraging and sad. I hope it educates people on how devastating exploitation can be. Like with all abuses of power that silence victims, I hope this case helps others who have been exploited.

[junkDNA]

Originally Posted by DP_2017

I assumed it was in all states. I know for some places, like here, there's a certain number of years after therapy before its "ok" but I didn't think any state was "ok" with it when it was a current client, yikes

no... some States it's not illegal at all. just an ethical problem governed by the board of psychology in that state. you can file civil lawsuits... which is what I was coerced to do

[TeaVicar?]

I can't open the link as I'm not in the US.

Originally Posted by Client xx

And even without the abuse, managed incorrectly can do so much harm

Yep. With the right therapist though, it can be incredibly healing. I do think it's a subject that needs more attention and thought put into it. It can be so very painful, and without the right support to aid transformation, I think it can potentially be more harmful.

[here today]

Originally Posted by junkDNA

no... some States it's not illegal at all. just an ethical problem governed by the board of psychology in that state. you can file civil lawsuits... which is what I was coerced to do

Yeah. That makes it a personal wrong against just you rather than a wrong against society, a crime, which I think it is, too.

Not sure it should be a felony but it feels to me like the "dependency" exploitation and betrayal that I experienced in therapy -- seems like that should qualify as a misdemeanor. What do I know, I'm not a lawyer or legislator. But if it were to be put on the books like that, then it might help make therapists better aware of the damage they can do, and hold them more accountable.

No question, sexual exploitation seems like the worst, though.

Originally Posted by Jessica11

Of course. But not always. I mean. I've been crossing a busy road for 50 some years and guess what. I've not been run over yet.

I would assume you look both ways before you cross the road.

I don't know much about US media, but this source does not seem reliable or serious. Sensational reporting misleads us and mischaracterises abuse as frivolous and entertaining.

[junkDNA]

Originally Posted by SorryOozit

I don't know much about US media, but this source does not seem reliable or serious. Sensational reporting misleads us and mischaracterises abuse as frivolous and entertaining.

it's from a news station company in Wisconsin. the article is also 4 years old

[here today]

Originally Posted by SorryOozit

I don't know much about US media, but this source does not seem reliable or serious. Sensational reporting misleads us and mischaracterises abuse as frivolous and entertaining.

But denial of trauma is also a "thing" -- happens a lot, I think, when people haven't experienced something themselves. Or can't/don't want to allow the extent of the trauma into their consciousness.

Here's a post from the "Interesting Psychotherapy Articles" that seems to me to be relevant here.

Originally Posted by TrailRunner14

I found this and it really shifted my thinking of trauma and denial.

Here’s the link and 2 pieces from the article that really spoke to me.


The Denial of Trauma

The psychological definition of trauma is “damage to the psyche that occurs as a result of a distressing event or an overwhelming amount of stress that exceeds the ability of the individual to cope and integrate the emotions involved.” This definition often gets simplified into the dictionary definition of “a deeply disturbing or distressing event,” which is where we all get a little lost. It’s very easy to understand trauma as something horrific, like war, or mass violence, or a natural disaster. It’s the “exceeding ability to cope and integrate emotions” section that gets lost on us.

———————

We need to get rid of the view that trauma is an action (an event). The more psychology tells us about trauma, the more it becomes clear that trauma is a reaction. Most importantly, it is an individual reaction.

[HD7970GHZ]

Originally Posted by junkDNA

it's from a news station company in Wisconsin. the article is also 4 years old

Doesn't mean it's not true.

Originally Posted by Jessica11

Of course. But not always. I mean. I've been crossing a busy road for 50 some years and guess what. I've not been run over yet.

Perhaps that just means you took good precautions or are just lucky. Busy roads will always have a certain amount of danger.

Originally Posted by junkDNA

it's from a news station company in Wisconsin. the article is also 4 years old

Doesn't make it any less valid or meaningful.

Unless having sex with a therapist has gotten safer over time...

Originally Posted by TeaVicar?

I can't open the link as I'm not in the US.



Yep. With the right therapist though, it can be incredibly healing. I do think it's a subject that needs more attention and thought put into it. It can be so very painful, and without the right support to aid transformation, I think it can potentially be more harmful.

Maybe it's your connection? I'm not in the states either

[junkDNA]

Originally Posted by Client xx

Doesn't make it any less valid or meaningful.


Unless having sex with a therapist has gotten safer over time...

umm that is not what I said at all.

[junkDNA]

Originally Posted by HD7970GHZ

Doesn't mean it's not true.

I never said it wasn't

wtf

Originally Posted by junkDNA

umm that is not what I said at all.

Ok, it just seemed, to me, you were saying this isn't still relevant somehow.