Therapists may cross boundaries and exploit patients’ vulnerability to establish an inappropriate relationship or otherwise engage in abusive behaviors. If you believe you endured sexual abuse by your therapist, Jenner Law can help.
We understand the harm that occurs because of an abusive therapist, whether the abuse is emotional, physical, or sexual. We know the difficulties survivors of abuse face and what it takes to heal. We protect and fight for the rights of therapist abuse survivors.
Our therapist abuse attorneys provide free, confidential consultations for those with questions about their legal options or who believe they experienced sexual abuse by their therapist or mental health care provider. Contact us today to get started.
How does a Therapist Sexual Abuse Lawyer Define This Type of Abuse?
Therapists can sexually abuse patients in several ways. These include grooming the patient to establish a romantic relationship or engaging in sexual behaviors. This also includes abandonment of a patient after the grooming process.
It is imperative to recognize that there is no consensual relationship or consensual sex between a patient and therapist. Any such agreement is inherently exploitative because a therapist has authority over the patient. Thus, any interactions of a romantic nature between a counselor and patient could qualify as sexual abuse.
To establish a therapist-patient relationship, there is a great deal of trust and vulnerability on the patient’s part. They must open up and tell their therapist their weaknesses, worries, and needs. When a therapist uses this vulnerability for their gain and exploits a patient’s trust by committing misconduct, this is abuse.
Not only can this cause emotional distress, anxiety, and depression, like any type of sexual abuse, but there is lasting and irreversible damage to the patient’s trust in mental health care professionals. This makes it even more challenging for survivors to work through the effects of therapist abuse.
What Types of Damages do Therapist Sexual Abuse Attorneys Recover?
When our law firm pursues a civil case against an abusive therapist, we hold the abuser and their practice (if applicable) accountable by demanding fair compensation. We based these compensatory damages on the expenses and injuries our client experienced because of therapist sexual abuse. This varies from case to case, but we can help you identify and document your related costs. Some examples include:
- Past and present medical care expenses, including mental health support for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trauma, and other mental health conditions
- Past and present income losses and missed time at work
- Past and present pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress
- Impaired quality of life
Often, the emotional distress of the situation is much more damaging than the physical injuries or loss of income. This can be especially true if the patient was abandoned by their therapist. Our therapist abuse lawyers understand this and seek monetary damages based on the trauma our client experienced. We do not accept lowball offers or step back just because it may be difficult to hold the abuser accountable. We fight for our clients’ rights.
What to Expect When Jenner Law Works on Your Therapist Sexual Abuse Case
When you hire Jenner Law to lead your therapy sexual abuse case, we will take the essential steps to protect your rights and pursue justice. You can be as involved in your case as you would like, or our attorneys can handle everything.
When you hire our personal injury team, you can expect:
- A safe space to talk openly about the abuse and your experience
- Confidentiality: we will never discuss your case with anyone without your permission
- A discreet investigation and compassionate handling of the case
- Careful documentation of your recoverable damages
- Preparation of a claim or lawsuit that outlines your case
- Negotiation of a fair settlement for monetary compensation
- An advocate for your best interests throughout this process
- A team that will keep your case on track and meet your state’s statute of limitations deadlines
- Representation in court as necessary
We serve many locations, including Maryland, Massachusetts, Virginia, and Washington DC. We work on a contingency-fee basis. This means we never allow our clients to pay money upfront; they only pay attorney’s fees if we recover money for them.
How Will My Attorney Document Therapist Sexual Abuse?
Because of patients’ vulnerable position when visiting their therapists, mental health providers have a serious responsibility to prioritize their patients’ emotional and psychological well-being. When they fail to do so and abuse their power, it could quickly become an abusive situation.
Therapists must maintain strict boundaries with patients to ensure the patient’s well-being remains protected. This includes:
- Having no contact outside of the office
- Maintaining a professional distance in the office
- Avoiding any physical contact beyond a handshake or friendly hug
- Keeping their intimate information private to avoid making the patient think they are developing a friendship or romantic relationship
A therapist violating any of these boundaries could be the first step in an abusive situation. Many types of abuse are possible in these scenarios. Emotional or verbal abuse are most common and difficult to document. However, they can turn sexual or physical.
Our therapist sexual abuse attorney knows how to document what happened to you. You may need to give a recorded statement or deposition about what occurred, especially if there is no documentation. Other evidence in therapy abuse cases often includes:
- Texts and emails between the abuse survivor and their therapist
- Other documentation of a romantic relationship
- Eyewitness statements
- Relevant records, such as how often and how long you attended sessions
- Documentation of damages
Every case is different, but our attorneys know how to document what happened and build a case against an abusive therapist.
Discuss Your Therapist Sexual Abuse Case With Our Team Today for Free
Jenner Law represents survivors who have experienced sexual abuse from their therapists and other mental health care providers. Our attorneys will assess your options, answer your questions, and discuss the benefits of taking legal action.
You may be able to hold the therapist and practice legally responsible and prevent others from becoming victims. Contact us today for a free and confidential consultation. Our attorneys are ready to work for you and have someone standing by to take your call now.