Cases of counselors abusing clients have been on the rise in recent days. While some cases are reported, others are not and therapists continue abusing their already vulnerable patients. Most reported cases are of sexual abuse, with physical evidence; the guilty counselors are arrested and prosecuted. Emotional abuse by a psychotherapist, however, continues to plague the noble profession unchecked. Most clients do not report it because they are not even aware that it is happening.
People go to therapy for a myriad of reasons. However, basically, it helps them gain security, safety and happiness in their lives. In a healthy and stable environment created by both parties, the client is able to open up about their innermost secrets, concerns and issues. To create such a stable and healthy environment, there should be trust between the patient and counselor.
The client-therapist relationship is, however, complicated. There is an imbalance of power with the counselor having a significant amount of power or influence over the client. Consequently, the relationship is open to abuse. Clients with a history of abuse are the most vulnerable because they may not differentiate between therapy and violation.
Patients must constantly ask themselves whether their relationship with their therapist is right. The best way to tell this is a close examination of the boundary between you as the patient and the counselor. A healthy should not have blurry relationship boundaries. For instance, you should not be offered therapy at a reduced fee as a favor. In fact, clients should not receive favors from their therapists.
Another way to determine whether the professional and personal relationship boundaries are blurry is indefinite sessions. In addition, belonging to similar social circles or having similar social relationships. The two individuals should not even attend similar parties unless they have discussed the implications. An out of office relationship with the psychotherapist or even members of their family is not allowed at all.
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 you suspect your therapist is abusing you, take the necessary action before its too late. You may want to talk to someone you trust such as a friend, spouse or parent about your concerns. The internet can also be helpful in confirming whether your counseling therapy has gone beyond borders. Alternatively, another therapist, preferably one who does not know your previous counselor would help. Legal counsel, reporting them to their respective board or the police may also be of help.
Emotional abuse is extremely traumatizing especially coming from someone you trust with your innermost secrets. Many patients who are abused are not even aware of it, especially if the therapist is counseling them for another form of abuse. Such patients end up with even more emotional burdens while some of them are suicidal. Consequently, it is important to disengage from abusive relationships.
People go to therapy for a myriad of reasons. However, basically, it helps them gain security, safety and happiness in their lives. In a healthy and stable environment created by both parties, the client is able to open up about their innermost secrets, concerns and issues. To create such a stable and healthy environment, there should be trust between the patient and counselor.
The client-therapist relationship is, however, complicated. There is an imbalance of power with the counselor having a significant amount of power or influence over the client. Consequently, the relationship is open to abuse. Clients with a history of abuse are the most vulnerable because they may not differentiate between therapy and violation.
Patients must constantly ask themselves whether their relationship with their therapist is right. The best way to tell this is a close examination of the boundary between you as the patient and the counselor. A healthy should not have blurry relationship boundaries. For instance, you should not be offered therapy at a reduced fee as a favor. In fact, clients should not receive favors from their therapists.
Another way to determine whether the professional and personal relationship boundaries are blurry is indefinite sessions. In addition, belonging to similar social circles or having similar social relationships. The two individuals should not even attend similar parties unless they have discussed the implications. An out of office relationship with the psychotherapist or even members of their family is not allowed at all.
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 you suspect your therapist is abusing you, take the necessary action before its too late. You may want to talk to someone you trust such as a friend, spouse or parent about your concerns. The internet can also be helpful in confirming whether your counseling therapy has gone beyond borders. Alternatively, another therapist, preferably one who does not know your previous counselor would help. Legal counsel, reporting them to their respective board or the police may also be of help.
Emotional abuse is extremely traumatizing especially coming from someone you trust with your innermost secrets. Many patients who are abused are not even aware of it, especially if the therapist is counseling them for another form of abuse. Such patients end up with even more emotional burdens while some of them are suicidal. Consequently, it is important to disengage from abusive relationships.
