Clients Right After Unethical Treatment By Psyhotherapist

By Beryl Dalton


Mental health professionals such as psychotherapists treat clients governed by a strict code of regulations. They are sworn to dedication to ethical and professional excellence as well as commitment to service, public participation and advocacy. Despite all these checks and balances, patients still report unethical treatment by psyhotherapist.

It is important to understand the importance of law and ethics in a psychotherapists practices. Ethics and law are what governs their practice. Without ethics, therapy is as good as dead and is completely irrelevant. As a result, breaching ethics during treatment of a patient makes it such a severe crime. The consequences may be suspension or termination of the practicing license. In some cases, legal action is necessary.

Unethical treatment may involve several aspects. For instance, your sessions are completely confidential and if the psychotherapist reveals anything without your consent, it is a breach of your rights. Also, if he or she makes sexual or romantic advances to you, that is completely not ethical. Also, friendships are not ethical unless it does not hinder their performance or affect you as a patient.

Inaccurate billing is also not allowed. The therapist should begin treatment by explaining to their clients how and what will be billed among other financial policies. It is ethically wrong for them to bill a service which is already covered for. Besides, he or she should not exaggerate the diagnosis of a patient or underwrite it to protect their perceived image.

Breach of ethical principles is a serious crime capable of destroying careers. Before making the serious allegations, you need to be sure that your right to ethical treatment was actually violated and not a mere hunch. Talk to your friends, another therapist or a lawyer for a way forward. If they were indeed violated, you are free to come out come with all your guns blazing.

So what are your options as a client whose right to ethical therapy has been breached? As a patient, you may discuss the therapist questionable behavior with them. Also, you are free to seek counsel from a different health professional. Lawyers are also helpful in helping you chart a way out. Lastly, you may contact their professional association to ask questions or report a complaint.

Just to be clear, if you are in a crisis or your life is under threat, law enforcement officers should be involved right away. Termination is also an option as mentioned above. However, do not hide by abandoning the program or ignoring their phone calls. If you wish to terminate, confront them and say you would like to withdraw from therapy as your rights were violated.

Having emotional or other kind of issues is a difficult thing for anyone. Sharing them with someone is not easy either. Most psychotherapists have good and ethical practices, helping millions of people find their path again. However, there are a few who take advantage of their unsuspecting gullible clients. Such individuals should not be allowed to continue practicing; instead, they should be put away for good.




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