You trusted your therapist to help you and, instead, they exploited your trust and groomed you for a sexual relationship. You deserve justice. Our New York therapist abuse lawyers, in conjunction with attorneys licensed to practice in New York City, can help you fight for it.
Call Jenner Law today for a free consultation.
Therapists Can Exploit Transference and Countertransference to Abuse Patients
Transference and countertransference are two common phenomena that occur during therapy.
Transference is the projection of a client’s feelings about someone in their life onto their therapist. This phenomenon is completely normal and often occurs during therapy. Countertransference is the therapist’s complementary response to that projection.
While therapists receive training on how to manage transference and use it to help clients work through unresolved issues, some therapists use it to exploit their client’s vulnerabilities and groom them for a sexual relationship.
How Breaching Boundaries Can Make It Hard to Detect Abuse
New York State requires all therapists to follow strict ethics and regulations to ensure that abusive behavior does not occur. All therapists should create what is called a “therapeutic container” to keep their relationship with their clients professional. The therapeutic container consists of boundaries such as:
- Keeping a professional distance during sessions
- Having no physical contact with the client
- Not discussing the therapist’s personal life or sexual relationship
- Not requesting information about the client’s sexual relationship unless it is conducive to the work in therapy
- No outside contact aside from scheduling or rescheduling sessions
The therapist may subtly breach these boundaries over time, testing whether the client notices the erosion of boundaries. They may share information about their own sexual relationships, getting the client to open up about their own, pretending it’s therapeutic.
This makes it easier for abuse to occur and harder for the client to determine when the abuse started and even whether it is occurring. If your therapist breached your boundaries and groomed you for a relationship, you deserve justice.
Any Sexual Relationship Between a Therapist and Client Is Exploitative and Non-Consensual
The relationship between a therapist and client creates an inherent power imbalance that makes it impossible for a client to consent to a sexual relationship. What happened to you was not your fault, even if you think that you agreed to it or even wanted the relationship.
If your therapist engaged you in a sexual relationship and abandoned your therapy, you can and should hold them liable.
Our team can help you.
For a free legal consultation with a therapist sexual abuse lawyer call,
(888) 585-2188
Recoverable Compensation in a Therapy Sexual Abuse Case in New York City
You deserve compensation for anything your abuse cost you, financially or emotionally. Our team will help you fight for the following damages:
- Medical bills for physical injuries and any counseling you may need
- Lost wages if you are unable to work while recovering
- Lost earning capacity if your abuse keeps you from working on an ongoing basis
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
While the effects of your abuse go far beyond financial, we will investigate your damages and determine a fair settlement value that will allow you to begin moving forward.
What Our Therapist Sexual Abuse Lawyers Can Do for You
We know that you have been through a profound trauma. You may find it hard to trust anyone. You may be afraid that we won’t believe you because you think you consented.
Several of our team members have received training to become “trauma-informed” lawyers. Our team understands the nature of grooming, especially by someone you trusted to help you. We respect you and see you. We believe in your story and want to help you in whatever way we can. We will:
- Always act in your best interest
- Investigate your case, gathering evidence of grooming or abandonment
- Establish all your damages and determine a value for your case
- Handle all communication with any involved parties
- Negotiate a fair settlement for you
- Prepare your case (and you) for trial
If we believe that going to trial is the best option for you, we will let you know. However, we will never make a decision or try to force you to do something you aren’t comfortable with.
We handle your cases with no upfront fees. You should be entirely focused on recovering from the abuse you suffered, not on how you can afford our legal help. You pay no retainer and no hourly fees and only pay our attorney’s fees if and when we win your case. If we do not recover on your behalf, you owe us nothing.
Click to contact our Therapist Sexual Abuse Lawyers today
There Is a Limited Time to Act in Your Therapy Abuse Case
Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Some states have specific statutes of limitations that apply to sex abuse cases. When you call us, we will determine what statute of limitations applies to your case and will act swiftly.
We can’t get started until you call us. That is why we recommend you call us as soon as possible.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Resources for Survivors of Sex Abuse in New York City
Sexual abuse, especially by someone you trusted, can be isolating. However, you are not alone. New York City has a wealth of resources for survivors:
- Sexual Abuse Support Groups in NYC
- Resources Aggregated by the NYPD
- Safe Horizon Hotline
There are also sex abuse resources for survivors nationwide:
- RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline: The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) offers a 24/7 national hotline and several other resources.
- 988 Lifeline: The 988 Lifeline is a 24/7 hotline available to anyone experiencing crisis or suicidal thoughts. Just call or text 988 or chat with them online.
Get Help from Our New York City Therapist Sexual Abuse Lawyers Today
You deserve justice for the abuse your therapist committed against you. Our team, in conjunction with attorneys licensed to practice in New York, is ready to help you get that justice however we can. Call Jenner Law today for a free consultation. Remember, you don’t pay us unless and until we recover compensation for you.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form