The term “breach of boundaries” can mean several different things in a therapist abuse case. Examples of a therapist breaching a client’s personal boundaries may include:
- Engaging in unwanted physical or sexual contact with the patient
- Attempting to verbally coerce the patient into sexual conduct by threatening to share the client’s confidential information
- Attempting to develop an inappropriate personal relationship with the client inside or outside of therapy sessions
The patient-therapist relationship is complex. There are many ways that a therapist can cross a patient’s boundaries.
Other Types of Therapist Misconduct that Patients Should Be Aware of
Patients must be alert to any and all red flags. A therapist must display the most professional conduct, as their patients put immense trust in them. If a therapist engages in any form of misconduct, the patient may take civil action. Our therapist abuse lawyer can help you with your lawsuit.
The American Psychological Association (APA) provides comprehensive guidelines that licensed therapists must follow. These guidelines detail:
- The credentials a therapist must maintain
- Therapist-patient privacy standards
- How therapists must keep records
- Avoiding conflicts of interest
- Other issues that a therapist or patient may face
Though some of these guidelines are highly technical, you may know when a therapist has engaged in misconduct. Some glaring examples of therapist misconduct include:
- Touching a patient in an unwanted manner
- Speaking in a sexually explicit manner
- Sharing the patient’s personal details or discussions with others, whether it is family members, colleagues, a social media audience, or anyone else
- Prescribing medications in a manner that endangers the patient
- Purposely causing harmful emotions, such as anger or resentment, in the patient
If you believe that a therapist has treated you improperly, there are ways to seek justice. An attorney can help you identify the precise ways in which therapist misconduct has harmed you.
For a free legal consultation, call,
(888) 585-2188
What Harm does a Therapist Cause When They Cross a Patient’s Boundaries?
Therapist misconduct can inflict harm on a patient who is already troubled. Patients may go to a therapist because they’ve suffered sexual abuse, physical trauma, emotional or psychological disorders, and other sources of pain. They go to a therapist for help.
When a therapist betrays their client, they may:
- Cause the patient to lose trust in therapists at large, preventing them from pursuing treatment in the future
- Worsen the existing psychological or emotional issues that the patient deals with
- Lead the patient into substance abuse, self-harm, or other destructive coping mechanisms
Crossing a patient’s boundaries sexually may be especially harmful. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that survivors of sexual misconduct may suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other health issues related to abuse. Symptoms may also be psychological and emotional in nature.
What to Do if a Therapist Has Crossed Your Personal Boundaries
You deserve help if a therapist has violated your right to safety and security. Hiring an attorney can provide a clear path forward.
An attorney can help you by:
Identifying the Ways that a Lawyer Violated Your Rights
Patients have rights when they see a licensed therapist. If a therapist engaged in any type of misconduct, they violated your rights. An attorney from our firm will identify the specific ways in which a therapist, or another liable party, mistreated you.
Obtaining Evidence of the Therapist’s Negligence
We will build your case with all available evidence, which may include:
- Your own testimony about the therapist’s misconduct
- Experts’ testimony about how a therapist should act versus how your therapist acted
- Your written accounts of the therapist’s misconduct
- Any other evidence that supports your case
Each therapist misconduct case presents us with new evidence to gather and preserve.
Leading a Lawsuit Against the Liable Therapist
If you want to see justice done for therapist misconduct, civil court may be your most appropriate path. Our team will draft, file, and complete your lawsuit against a negligent therapist. As part of the legal process, we can:
- Handle all case-related paperwork
- Complete case-related communications
- Interview witnesses
- Document your losses
- Hire experts
- Handle every other feature of the legal process
We are a full-service law firm that allows our clients to focus on themselves. You can get treatment for the harm you’ve suffered; we will lead your pursuit of justice.
Putting Your Losses in Specific Context
Attorneys who represent victims of therapist misconduct see the damages firsthand. A lawyer from our firm can identify all damages that you’ve suffered, which may include:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost income
- Treatment cost
- Lost quality of life
We’ll seek fair compensation for any other damages that therapist misconduct has caused you.
Click to contact our personal injury lawyers today
Call Jenner Law Today for a Free Consultation About a Breach of Your Boundaries
has helped other victims of therapist misconduct. An attorney from our team is ready to seek justice for you, too.
We represent people nationwide in conjunction with lawyers licensed in the jurisdiction where you live. That process is known as a “pro hac vice” application, and through that, we are given permission to practice in any state alongside a licensed lawyer from that state. We do it all the time, in both therapist abuse and other negligence cases we take on.
We know therapist abuse cases require a specialized knowledge. We work with therapists across the country who support these claims and understand the damage that a reckless therapist can cause.
Call Jenner Law today for your free consultation. Don’t wait to call us, as we may have a brief window for filing your lawsuit. We understand that it may be difficult to get things started, as talking about these issues is tough. But the phone call is at no obligation to you, and we’re here to listen and guide you through the process. You’ll be glad you made the effort on your road to recovery.
Call or text (888) 585-2188 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form