No Arlington therapist should ever engage in sexual behavior with their client for any reason. Such abuse is inexcusable and could entitle you to compensation. Our team can protect you throughout the process, ensuring you have the support you need.
Instead of handling a case alone, let our Arlington, VA therapist abuse lawyers manage it. Call Jenner Law for a free, confidential review whenever you can begin.
Reasons to Hold Your Therapist Liable for Their Abusive Actions in Arlington
There are a few reasons you might want to take action against your therapist:
- Your therapist, rather than doing their job and helping you, chose to do you harm in order to gain something for themselves.
- You may be entitled to financial compensation that you can use to help you afford medical care and make a fresh start.
- You have the right to hire legal counsel. Our Virginia therapist abuse lawyers can manage your case so you do not have to go it alone.
Legal actions can take a lot of time and energy. However, you don’t need to handle them on your own. We’ll handle every aspect of your case while you focus on beginning your recovery from what you experienced.
Damages for Therapist Sexual Abuse
While sexual abuse survivors are often more focused on seeking justice, they do often need compensation to help them cope with the abuse’s aftereffects. Jenner Law can pursue a fair amount in damages for:
- The mental anguish and trauma of the abuse
- Any physical illnesses or injuries you suffered because of the sex abuse
- The overall negative effect the abuse has had on your personal relationships or your ability to lead a happy and fulfilling life
- The income, benefits, or job opportunities you have missed out on because the abuse made it difficult or impossible for you to work
- The cost of going to a medical professional (whether a doctor or another therapist) to treat your physical and emotional distress
Your Arlington Therapist Should Be Held Accountable
Another good reason to file a sexual abuse lawsuit is to make sure your therapist does not get away with their actions. They exploited you during a vulnerable moment, and they should know that there are consequences for abusing a patient in this way.
For a free legal consultation with a therapist sexual abuse lawyer call,
(888) 585-2188
Confronting Your Abusive Therapist and Seeking Compensation
It is perfectly understandable if you do not want to see or talk to your therapist ever again. You can still hold them responsible for their abusive behavior by hiring our therapist abuse lawyer serving Arlington to represent you throughout your case. All cases are unique, but yours might follow these general steps:
- First, we want to get to know you. We recognize that speaking about the abuse is not easy, and we will afford you all of the time, space, and respect you need as you share your story.
- Next, we investigate the abuse. You do not want the case to come down to your word versus the therapist’s. Our legal team can collect plenty of evidence to support your case and preemptively refute the therapist’s defense.
- Once we have built a strong case file, we can confront the therapist. Your sexual abuse attorney can handle all communications, from sending the demand letter to responding to their statements and settlement offers.
- Your therapist might offer to pay a settlement immediately or after we negotiate with them. It is up to you to decide if you want to accept the offer. Jenner Law can aid you in making this decision.
- Your case might very well settle out of court. If it does not, we can speak for you in the courtroom, explaining to the jury how your therapist exploited the therapeutic relationship and why you deserve a fair monetary award.
Our Therapist Abuse Lawyers Can Help You With Everything
You deserve an Arlington therapist sexual abuse lawyer who will fight aggressively to safeguard your rights. Find out more by calling Jenner Law for a confidential case evaluation today.
How Therapist Abuse Happens in Arlington, Virginia
First, it is important to recognize that therapist abuse is always the therapist’s fault. This is true even if you feel as though your relationship was consensual. The therapist is the one in charge of the therapeutic relationship. They know perfectly well that steering your relationship into unprofessional territory constitutes unethical behavior for a therapist.
That is how therapist abuse happens: when a therapist decides to ignore their responsibilities and use their position of power to exploit the patient.
Transference and Sexual Abuse
In therapy, there is a phenomenon called transference. Transference is when a patient begins to regard their therapist as more than a professional acquaintance. It is a natural and expected part of therapy, but it can lead to abuse when:
- The therapist ignores signs of transference and does nothing to prevent the patient’s feelings of attachment from developing or growing.
- The therapist actively encourages the patient to view them as a friend or romantic partner by sharing personal details, offering or asking for presents, or suggesting meetings outside of therapy sessions.
- The therapist displays countertransference and mirrors the client’s feelings.
Virginia Prohibits Therapist Sexual Abuse
18 VAC 115-20-130 explains what is and is not appropriate behavior for a Virginia therapist. Among other things, they cannot “engage in any type of romantic relationships or sexual intimacies with clients.”
Whether your therapist harassed you or slowly groomed you into accepting a sexual relationship, what they did was wrong. The legal team at Jenner Law wants to make sure they pay for what they did to you.
Click to contact our Arlington, VA Therapist Abuse Lawyers today
Seeking Justice After Therapist Sexual Abuse in Arlington
Jenner Law recognizes that coming forward after abuse from someone you trusted to help you is very difficult. We are here to listen whenever you are ready to talk. Call us for a confidential case review so we can tell you more about the compassionate yet meticulous services our Arlington therapist sexual abuse lawyer offers.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form