The practice of psychotherapy has been marred with cases of abuse for years. There are two ways therapists abusing their clients-emotionally and sexually. Sexual abuse has been checked by patients who report it to the relevant bodies and the responsible counselors arrested and prosecuted. The other form, emotional abuse by a psychotherapist has not been checked because victims rarely report it.
People seek therapy for many reasons. Therapeutic sessions are meant to help patients feel secure, safe and happy again. For this to happen, both the therapist and client should create a healthy and stable environment in order to develop trust. Its only in a trustworthy relationship that a client expresses their feelings or emotions about specific things disturbing their peace.
The client-psychotherapist relationship is complicated and is not as easy as it sounds. For starters, the therapist has the power to influence the client who is mostly weak and vulnerable. A non professional psychotherapist takes advantage of the imbalance of power with dire consequences. It is even worse for patients who have been victims of such heinous crimes in the past since violation and therapy may be one and the same thing.
To differentiate violation and therapy, patients must always be on the watch out. Constantly ask yourself whether the relationship feels right. Also, examine the boundaries between the professional and personal relationship between you and your counselor. If the boundary seems a little bit blurry, it is time to run for the hills. Favors like reducing fees and other types of favors meant to make you feel special are not acceptable.
Blurry relationships may also be signaled by the length of time a session lasts. Also, the two parties are not allowed to have the same social relationships or belong to same social circles. There should not be a personal relationship between the client and the therapist or the therapists family outside of the office since it could lead to conflicts of interest.
After examining the relationship, start looking at how the therapist treats you. If you feel like he or she is abusing you, its probably right, go with your instinct on this one. Do they give humiliating, degrading, manipulative or intimidating things to you? Or do they make you feel hopeless or that you are absolutely dependent on them. When you miss a session, do you feel anxious?
If the description above fits you, it may be time to move out of the relationship. You may want to see another therapist, preferably one who does not know your previous one. Also, talk to your friend or someone you trust like a parent or spouse. Legal action may be necessary also because the law protects patients from abuse. In addition, consider launching a formal complaint with the board so that no one else goes through your experience.
Emotional abuse is a trauma by itself. It is even worse if it is orchestrated by someone you trusted. Patients who have been abused before are probably the most vulnerable. The net result is more emotional burdens for the patients who sometimes become suicidal.
People seek therapy for many reasons. Therapeutic sessions are meant to help patients feel secure, safe and happy again. For this to happen, both the therapist and client should create a healthy and stable environment in order to develop trust. Its only in a trustworthy relationship that a client expresses their feelings or emotions about specific things disturbing their peace.
The client-psychotherapist relationship is complicated and is not as easy as it sounds. For starters, the therapist has the power to influence the client who is mostly weak and vulnerable. A non professional psychotherapist takes advantage of the imbalance of power with dire consequences. It is even worse for patients who have been victims of such heinous crimes in the past since violation and therapy may be one and the same thing.
To differentiate violation and therapy, patients must always be on the watch out. Constantly ask yourself whether the relationship feels right. Also, examine the boundaries between the professional and personal relationship between you and your counselor. If the boundary seems a little bit blurry, it is time to run for the hills. Favors like reducing fees and other types of favors meant to make you feel special are not acceptable.
Blurry relationships may also be signaled by the length of time a session lasts. Also, the two parties are not allowed to have the same social relationships or belong to same social circles. There should not be a personal relationship between the client and the therapist or the therapists family outside of the office since it could lead to conflicts of interest.
After examining the relationship, start looking at how the therapist treats you. If you feel like he or she is abusing you, its probably right, go with your instinct on this one. Do they give humiliating, degrading, manipulative or intimidating things to you? Or do they make you feel hopeless or that you are absolutely dependent on them. When you miss a session, do you feel anxious?
If the description above fits you, it may be time to move out of the relationship. You may want to see another therapist, preferably one who does not know your previous one. Also, talk to your friend or someone you trust like a parent or spouse. Legal action may be necessary also because the law protects patients from abuse. In addition, consider launching a formal complaint with the board so that no one else goes through your experience.
Emotional abuse is a trauma by itself. It is even worse if it is orchestrated by someone you trusted. Patients who have been abused before are probably the most vulnerable. The net result is more emotional burdens for the patients who sometimes become suicidal.
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