Therapy can be a truly healing experience to reclaim your life by working through difficulty and trauma. A good therapist will guide you and give you tools along your journey of self-improvement. However, therapy can be extremely damaging when a therapist abuses their clients and their privileged relationship.
A Lansing therapist sexual abuse lawyer is here to help you or your loved one if you have been subjected to abusive treatment by a therapist. White Law PLLC is committed to your recovery and seeking the compensation you may be entitled to. Our team will fight for you every step of the way when you need a Lansing sexual abuse lawyer.
Types of Therapist Abuse
Therapy abuse can take on different forms, and sometimes appear in tandem. An abusive therapist will likely apply common abuse tactics on the patients they are trying to control. It is helpful to note the typical types of abuse in order to identify them.
Psychological Abuse
Psychological abuse preys on a person’s emotional and mental state in order to gain control over them. This type of abuse is characterized by inflicting mental and emotional pain through manipulative behaviors, destroying something a person cares about, shaming, blaming, ignoring, and more. Psychological abuse is considered to be the strongest predictor of committing suicide.
Sexual Abuse
Sexual abuse involves any unwanted contact or advances of a sexual nature from another person. This could show up as inappropriate touching, sexual advances, lewd jokes, and more. There is typically a strong power imbalance with someone in authority when this type of abuse is present.
Verbal Abuse
Verbal abuse is less likely to be identified and called out based on its pervasive nature. However, while not as evident, verbal abuse has emotional and psychological effects that can erode a person’s self-image, self-esteem, and self-confidence. Shaming, threatening, criticizing, and mocking someone are all ways verbal abuse can show up.
Physical Abuse
While physical abuse may be less likely to happen in a therapy setting, it is important to be aware of the possibility. Physical abuse can include striking or assaulting someone by hand or with a physical object. Depriving someone of their basic needs or access to a basic right or need also falls under this category.
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Signs of Therapist Abuse
While therapy can be immensely beneficial, it is a deeply personal experience that allows the patient to be vulnerable about their life and mental health. When a therapist crosses proper therapy boundaries, and a patient is in a vulnerable state, the resulting power imbalance creates an abusive environment. In order to find a path out of the unhealthy relationship, it is important to be aware of the warning signs of abuse in therapy:
- Shame or blame
- Sexual advances
- Taking advantage of you financially
- Talking about other clients in detail
- And more
The Three Phases of Abuse by a Therapist
According to the Therapy Exploitation Link Line (TELL), there are three common phases in the relationship progression between an abusive therapist and their patient. Each phase builds on the other and is intended to control the patient completely. The three phases are:
- Grooming is identified by special favors, gifts, attention and/or contact designed to win over the patient in order to gain control of them. An abusive therapist may also make inappropriate contact, isolate the patient from loved ones, and/or make the patient feel responsible for the therapist.
- Exploitation can take the form of emotional, financial, sexual, or physical abuse. When a therapist exploits a patient, they use their client’s resources at the expense of the client.
- Termination is the most dangerous phase when dealing with an abusive therapist. If a therapist loses interest or feels threatened by the patient, the therapist may employ threats, abusive tactics, and/or revenge in an effort to maintain control.
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Life After Therapist Abuse
Leaving an abusive therapist may leave you with a heavy mix of emotions, struggling to cope, and having difficulty trusting others. However, finding an ethical therapist who is trained to help victims of therapist abuse is the first step toward healing. Another important step to take is to let a therapist sexual abuse lawyer in Lansing help you get justice.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
End a Therapist Relationship with Care
Leaving an abusive therapist should be handled with care so you don’t come to further harm if they attempt to retaliate. When trying to escape the situation, you can report them to their licensing board, or association, and even file a civil or criminal lawsuit. Talk to a therapist abuse attorney in Lansing for details about your options.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
How a Therapist Abuse Attorney in Lansing, Michigan Can Help
Chapter Seven of Michigan’s Mental Health Code states that patients have the right not to be abused or neglected and can pursue civic action against an abusive therapist. The abusive therapist should be reported to law enforcement in order to establish their actions, level of abuse, and aid in determining disciplinary action. This is where a therapist sexual abuse lawyer in Lansing, Michigan can help.
A lawyer will investigate the abuse according to Michigan reporting requirements and establish whether the therapist’s actions are a class I, II, or III abuse and/or a class I, II, or III neglect. An investigation into the event must be completed within 90 days. A lawyer will also gather all relevant documentation to be used as part of your case.
Get Justice with the Help of a Lansing Therapist Abuse Attorney
If you’ve suffered the devastating effects of an abusive therapist, let a Lansing therapist abuse attorney help you through this difficult time. At White Law PLLC our experienced attorneys provide you with answers and advice, open communication, strategy, and most of all — compassion. Reach out to us for a free consultation and let us represent you today.
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