Helpful links for help if you have been abused by your therapist

(((JD)))
I have talked with dozens of people who have had this happen to them. This problem is so great- there are (good) mental health professionals in practice who actually specialize in this field. I mean this is such a huge problem...mental health professionals actually specialize in it. My PrevT is one of them. There are hundreds of professional articles and books devoted to the harm and sequelae of therapist abuse.

I emailed T.E.L.L. recently (not knowing what to ask for) and a retired psychiatrist whose name I recognize in the field kindly emailed me back....

I'm trying to say, no, you're not alone. And there are people who want to help.

This is a terrible issue. When it happens- it's difficult to find support. First, who do we discuss it with? Family and friends rarely understand. See a therapist? Why would we even trust another health professional after what we've been through? There are no group therapy meetings (there used to be one I knew about at UCLA years ago.)

But we can network online. Therapist/client abuse can isolate us, making us think we are the only one this has happened to...and make us think no one can possibly identify with us. But we are not alone.

JD, please let me know if there is any information I can give you that might help...I can tell you names of mental health professionals in this field. You can read their articles/books. You can contact them, if you think that would help.
Just any way I can help, please let me know.

I forgot to add another which is operated by a PC poster-

About ? Therapy Consumer Guide

Yes, the Yahoo Voices post no longer exists because Yahoo Voices went out of business. That post was actually my article that I originally wrote for my website. Fortunately, since it is my post and it existed on my website before it was posted on Yahoo Voices, it is still there. You can read it here Search Results for ?how to avoid getting abused? ? Therapy Consumer Guide

My website www.therapyconsumerguide.com in general has a lot of information for those who have been emotionally abused by therapists so check it out. I try to write more for the general public who are not very knowledgeable or sophisticated about the subject of therapy so you may know a lot of stuff I write about. If you can't find what you are looking for in terms of dealing with emotional abuse in therapy let me know and I'll try to fill the gaps.

AdvocateWeb was a great help for me in my process of filing a complaint and gaining my ground. They were very supportive emotionally and gave me a lot of helpful information. The most helpful resource by far. They also used to have a forum which I enjoyed a lot. Later it was closed, unfortunately.

I agree with all of the above, except for saying move on if there has been no progress after 4 or 5 sessions.
If you like the T, but things aren't moving along immediately I would suggest that even starting to undo a lifetime of issues/ denial/ abuse / avoidance. Will take longer than a few session.
However if your not feeling it, maybe discuss before moving on. They may have an idea of someone better suited to you.

I wish I knew about it 7 years ago

Just wanted to say the above wasn't meant to be posted here. Apologies for any confusion, my early morning/still sleeping replies may have caused.

I basically just went on google search right after I realized that I was fundamentally damaged by my ex-T and found TELL and AdvocateWeb to be the only sources there at that time, it was 6 years ago. I connected with TELL first. Had a mixed experience. Then I went on AW forum and it was awesome. So much helpful practical information about all you needed to know if you wanted to sue the T or to file a complaint. The woman who led the project at the time was very knowledgeable. She provided the names of the lawyers to consult with. I consulted with one of them and he was very helpful.

i remember searching it a lot, even when i was with my Former T. i could never really find any information. even when i was with him i knew it was wrong and was trying to seek help..

this was in 2008-2010

Thank you for posting this information.

Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct

http://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index.aspx?item=13#1008

10.08 Sexual Intimacies with Former Therapy Clients/Patients
(a) Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients for at least two years after cessation or termination of therapy.
(b) Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients even after a two-year interval except in the most unusual circumstances. Psychologists who engage in such activity after the two years following cessation or termination of therapy and of having no sexual contact with the former client/patient bear the burden of demonstrating that there has been no exploitation, in light of all relevant factors, including (1) the amount of time that has passed since therapy terminated; (2) the nature, duration, and intensity of the therapy; (3) the circumstances of termination; (4) the client's/patient's personal history; (5) the client's/patient's current mental status; (6) the likelihood of adverse impact on the client/patient; and (7) any statements or actions made by the therapist during the course of therapy suggesting or inviting the possibility of a posttermination sexual or romantic relationship with the client/patient. (See also Standard 3.05, Multiple Relationships.)

Ethics Codes and Practice Guidelines

Links to Ethics Codes Information

Therapists should be required to give these to clients-

Professional Therapy Never Includes Sex

Professional Therapy Never Includes Sex - California Department of Consumer Affairs

Therapist-Client Sex in the Regressive Therapies by Keith Borden

First published in 1989 much of it's information is relevant today.

'It’s never ok : a handbook for professionals on sexual exploitation by counselors and therapists'

https://www.leg.state.mn.us/docs/pre...her/890492.pdf

I have a question what about being emotionally abuse by a therapist?

This is an excellent article. Thank you for sharing this.

Emotional Abuse in Therapy

Many of the links don't work.

Former doctor guilty of raping heavily sedated patient will serve no prison time | FOX59