Therapy or Counseling Malpractice
Therapy or Counseling Malpractice
Seeking mental health counseling is often a difficult decision to make. We understand that therapeutic counseling often requires revealing the most private and intimate details of a person’s life. It can be very painful but also very healing if handled correctly. However, patients who are in a professional, therapeutic relationship are especially vulnerable to abuse. When that “professional” relationship is twisted by a therapist’s abuse of power or inadequate skills, it can be devastating to the client’s mental health, often making the symptoms worse or even leading to death.
If you have been harmed by the negligence of a mental health professional, you no doubt feel violated. When such individuals provide inadequate treatment or enter into dual relationships with clients, they violate their ethical rules. One of the most unconscionable abuses arises when a mental health care professional fails to observe proper boundaries while treating a patient. It is highly inappropriate for a psychologist, psychiatrist or therapist to have a sexual relationship with a patient while that patient is in treatment. Also, a mental health professional should not engage in business dealings with patients, including lending or borrowing money. If the mental health professional ignores a patient’s clear suicidal ideations or a psychiatrist improperly prescribes narcotic medications, these too can be legitimate reasons to consult a lawyer about your rights.
If you think you have a case involving negligence or abuse by a mental health professional, including a psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist or a mental health hospital, call us at (937) 293-2141 for a free consultation with an attorney at Holzfaster, Cecil, McKnight & Mues. If you wish to contact us online, you may do so by using our form below. We also have an emergency phone number of (937) 760-4357 answered by one of our lawyers around-the-clock.
