A therapist is someone you should be able to trust and reach out to for emotional support and well-being. However, as a therapist abuse lawyer, we know that sexual contact with mental health professionals ranges between 9% and 12%.
Annually, over 41 million adults in the U.S. seek therapy or counseling of some kind.
You – or your family member – never expect that the person you’re trusting with intimate details of your life will be the one to cause extensive trauma. A breach of trust can include:
- Inappropriate touching
- Inappropriate photos or videos
- Unwanted sexual contact
Depression, anxiety, and fear are a real concern for a survivor, who, in many cases, will suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and will not want to put their trust in a therapist again.
Our compassionate lawyers are trained by mental health professionals to avoid revictimizing victims and helping them fight for justice.
For 55+ years, we’ve been helping victims find their voices and fight back against the injustice that happened to them.
Call us toll-free at 866.446.7478 to speak to a compassionate lawyer ready to fight for you.
Recent Reports of Therapist Abuse
Victims are often fearful of coming forward and taking action against their abusers. Two brave men came forward against a therapist in Utah who inappropriately touched them during therapy sessions and is facing multiple felonies if he’s found guilty.
The therapist received multiple complaints that, in 2018, even led to him losing his state license.
Victims, all gay men who were part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, filed complaints that have led to suspicion of:
- Four counts of forcible sodomy
- Six counts of object rape
The therapist, who was in his position for 20+ years, was jailed without the possibility of bail because he posed a risk to the community.
Another case in Iowa made headlines when a therapist for at-risk residents was fired after she was accused of:
- Supplying clients with contraband
- Having sexual intercourse with clients
The victims were from the Iowa State Training School for Boys. Investigations into the matter are still ongoing. The therapist was eventually fired after administrative leave.
I Was a Victim. Who Can I Report to?
Victims who want to report abuse often don’t know where to turn to. As your therapist abuse lawyer, we’ll fight on your behalf and uphold your rights, but you need to file a complaint and stop others from experiencing abuse.
You can report the abuse to licensing boards, which may be on the following levels:
- Local
- State
- Territorial
The Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards has an extensive list of contact information that you can use to find the appropriate board to lodge your complaint.
If the therapist is not licensed, you may be able to file a complaint with:
- The school the therapist works for, if a school is involved
- Law enforcement officials
Consider contacting an attorney with experience handling cases involving therapist sexual abuse. Taking legal action will give you an opportunity to have your voice and story heard. Abusers should be held responsible for their criminal actions, and victims should seek justice to prevent future cases of abuse.
Understanding Facility Negligence
Victims of therapist abuse can seek damages from the perpetrator, but the facility or therapist’s employer may also be held liable if they were negligent.
Examples of facility negligence can include:
- Negligent hiring practices. Facilities have a responsibility to ensure they’re employing qualified and competent therapists. If the facility fails to conduct a background check or vets employees inadequately, they may be considered negligent.
- Failure to take action. If the abuse was reported or the therapist has a history of abuse, the facility may be considered negligent if they failed to take appropriate and reasonable action.
For a facility to be considered negligent, you must be able to show that:
- They owed you a duty of care.
- They breached that duty of care.
- The breach led to damages.
If the facility knew about the abuse or there is a history of this behavior and the facility failed to act, they may be held liable for damages. Had the facility taken appropriate action, the abuse could have stopped and future cases could have been prevented.
A therapist abuse lawyer can help you understand your legal options and evaluate your case to determine whether the facility or employer was negligent.
The Claim Process and Legal Remedies
Survivors of therapist sexual abuse have several legal options available to them.
One option is to file a complaint with the licensing board. The licensing board will review your complaint and evidence, and then decide whether or not to take action. Depending on the circumstances, the board may decide to revoke the therapist’s license.
Survivors may also choose to file a lawsuit against the therapist for professional malpractice. To succeed with a claim, you must have proof that the therapist breached their professional duty and that breach of duty caused harm.
The facility or therapist’s employer may also be liable for damages if they were negligent. The therapist may have had a history of sexual abuse and the facility failed to take appropriate action, or the facility may have been negligent in their hiring process.
Filing a claim is a complex process. You don’t have to go through it alone. We’re here to help. Our experienced attorneys can help you navigate this process while fighting to protect your rights and helping you seek justice.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
What Damages Can I Seek in a Therapy Abuse Claim?
Every case is unique, and there are several factors that will determine which damages you can seek and how much you can recover.
Depending on the circumstances, you may be able to seek a variety of economic damages, including:
- Medical care, including the cost of hospitalization, medications and other related medical costs.
- Therapy bills to confront and heal from the trauma of the abuse.
- Lost wages if you had to take time off of work because of the abuse.
Sexual abuse causes significant mental and emotional trauma, of which you may also be able to seek damages, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The compassionate attorneys at Cohen & Malad, LLP can evaluate your case to determine which damages apply and help you pursue the compensation you are entitled to.
Resources for Survivors
How Cohen & Malad, LLP Can Help
Therapists have a duty to conduct themselves in a professional, ethical manner and provide a safe space for their patients to heal. When therapists breach that duty and abuse their patients, the effects can be far-reaching and last a lifetime.
Perpetrators should be held accountable for their actions, and your voice should be heard.
The attorneys at Cohen & Malad have 55+ years of combined experience representing survivors of sexual abuse.
Contact us today to schedule a free, confidential consultation with a therapist abuse lawyer.
