The relationship you have with a therapist is built on trust and vulnerability. When a therapist violates that trust by engaging in abuse, the consequences can be devastating. If you or a loved one has suffered abuse at the hands of a therapist in Detroit, you do not have to deal with this alone.
Our team is experienced with the unique challenges of abuse cases and has a proven track record of success in seeking justice for our clients. Work with a Detroit therapist sexual abuse lawyer and get help navigating the legal system while you fight for fairness regarding your own case. Contact us to work with a Detroit sexual abuse lawyer and start the process of healing.
Understanding Therapist Abuse Claims in Michigan
If you have been taken advantage of or otherwise abused by a therapist in Michigan, you have the right to receive compensation for your traumatic experience. Financial recompensation will not change what you went through, but it can help support you while you rebuild your life. With help from an experienced and compassionate Detroit therapist abuse attorney from White Law PLLC, you can get the most from your claim and work towards justice.
Abuse from any individual can take on different forms, and therapist abuse is no different. Sometimes, abuse is not noticed right away due to emotional manipulation, shock, or a variety of other factors. It can be difficult to notice abuse at times, especially with people that we are taught to trust.
Anyone experiencing emotional, psychological, sexual, verbal, or physical abuse from a therapist should leave their care as soon as possible. If possible, speak to a Detroit personal injury lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your situation and work together towards ensuring that there is no chance of retaliation. Reports can be filed with licensing boards and associations, or you may choose to file a civil or criminal lawsuit as an action against the abusive party.
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Common Types of Therapist Abuse in Detroit
Therapist abuse can come in many different forms. All are particularly damaging to the surviving patient and can be responded to with a disciplinary action such as a civil or criminal lawsuit. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, a therapist abuse attorney in Detroit can help you respond to the following types of therapist abuse:
- Psychological Abuse: This type of abuse involves manipulating the facts, denying or changing events, and making the client question reality. The therapist may use the client’s personal information for personal gain or manipulation and fail to provide support for the client’s actual condition.
- Emotional Abuse: This type of abuse manipulates emotions, warps memories, and shames or isolates the client. This can happen through questioning reality or emotional responses or by using threats or aggressive behavior to control the client.
- Sexual Abuse: This type of abuse includes any unwanted sexual contact or behavior by the therapist, including physical or non-physical actions. Sexual abuse can occur with comments, advances, and propositions, as well as actual actions.
- Verbal Abuse: This type of abuse involves degrading or hurtful language towards a client, including belittling or humiliating comments, swearing, profanity, yelling, insults, and name-calling.
- Physical Abuse: This type of abuse includes any intentional actions that cause physical harm to a client, including hitting, shoving, or restraining a patient.
Abuse can be subtle and does not always involve obvious actions. If you feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or manipulated during your therapy sessions, it is important to take a step back to evaluate what is happening and seek help from someone you trust. You do not have to go through this experience alone, and you deserve to feel safe during your therapy sessions.
We know how to get our clients the results they need in the toughest legal arenas.
Signs of Therapist Abuse
Therapy is such a deeply personal and vulnerable time for a patient. When someone crosses proper therapy boundaries, it can create an abusive environment and leave lasting damage. Consider some of these signs of therapist abuse and look at how we can recognize abuse in therapy:
- Crossing boundaries such as violations of confidentiality, attending sessions while in a compromised state, or extending personal invitations that cross from a professional relationship into a personal one
- Any sexual innuendos, requests, or actions that violates trust
- Fostering dependence on the relationship, like pressuring a client to cut off important ties, isolating you from others, and encouraging illegal or addictive substances
- Encouraging communication outside of sessions with no justifiable clinical reason
- Expressing anger or hostility towards a client
- Using inappropriate, insulting, or demeaning language towards a client
- Yelling or using threats to manipulate actions
- Violating boundaries that are clearly set by the patient
Learning how to leave a therapist can be extremely intimidating and leave you with a complicated mix of emotions. However, finding a therapist who actually listens and validates your experience can be a beautiful step toward healing. If you are seeking justice, reach out to a therapist abuse attorney in Detroit, Michigan, to help you with the next steps.
We understand that you may be going through a difficult situation and we are ready to help however we can.
Victims of Therapist Abuse Deserve Compensation
Financial compensation will never truly make up for what you have gone through. However, pursuing justice through a settlement can help you hold accountable the person who has put you through so much pain and suffering. Some examples of damages that can be collected include:
- Counseling expenses
- Lost wages and earning capacity
- Mental anguish
- Physical Injuries
- Post-traumatic stress
Punitive damages or exemplary damages may also come into play with your lawsuit. Michigan Legislature grants these types of damages if the defendant’s abuse is considered deliberately harmful or grossly negligent. If you have questions about the types of compensation you may be eligible for, contact a Detroit therapist sexual abuse lawyer at White Law PLLC to learn more.
You will always work directly with your attorney throughout your case.
Get Support from a Detroit Therapist Abuse Attorney Today
If you or someone you love has suffered abuse from a therapist, you may have an opportunity to hold the at-fault parties accountable for their actions. We have extensive experience handling abuse cases, including the nationally known Larry Nassar settlement and sexual abuse case involving Michigan gymnasts. The Detroit therapist sexual abuse lawyer at White Law PLLC will never stop fighting to ensure our clients get the justice they deserve.
Let us help you get justice so you can begin to heal. Fill out our contact form or call our office today to schedule a free, confidential consultation. We will walk you through potential next steps and answer any questions you may have.
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