Posted by metalflipflop on March 3, 2007, at 17:47:24
In reply to Re: Anyone here made Legal Complaint Re T. I'm bout to, posted by scentedgarden on February 22, 2007, at 17:35:21
SG,
First let me say I am sorry for your pain in this situation--you did not deserve to have this happen at all. It is a sad fact that there a lot of bad therapists out there, as with any profession of course, but to these people we trust our everything. I myself was on track for my clinical PhD, so I have been on both sides, and as it applies to me too I feel I can say that a lot of people are driven to mental health practice b/c of their own emotional issues!
I am writing b/c your post struck a chord with me, as just two weeks ago I actually submitted a formal complaint against my previous therapist to the state licensing board. It's a long, drawn-out story, but suffice it to say that the crux of my grievance was also a very messed-up, damaging termination, as well as what I believe to be the violation of my confidentiality. I saw this therapist for nearly three years, and like it sounds with you, I loved her and trusted her more than I ever thought I could with anyone.
The events in question occurred about 6 months ago, and during this time I have been talking a lot about it with my current therapist. Filing a complaint was the end for me, as I tried every possible way to get her to acknowledge me, my suffering, and my very justified anger. All these months later though, I am still so wrecked, and so bringing the issue to the state board has been my attempt at truly healing and moving on, getting some resolution and, hopefully, peace. My current therapist, knowing the situation intimately and how hard I have worked to move on in other ways, is supporting me in this.
I just have wanted it to be out of my hands, to give some of this pain to someone with a lot of experience handling these issues to decide it. Like you, I don't care about money in this, I want to be able to sleep at night knowing that my former therapist will hopefully have even 1/10th of the anguish and fear I have experienced. I want her to have to acknowledge that she did some terrible, harsh things to someone very vulnerable and trusting.
As far as the process, my complaint has passed the first round of being deemed worthy to investigate. I have been assigned an investigator (found this out through mail) who is supposed to be contacting me soon for more details. I was a little nervous about the fact that to lodge the complaint I had to sign that it was okay for the state to know any details of my treatment, but I honestly believe that it is so vitally important for me to stand up for myself. I feel slightly better even having taken this action, regardless of the outcome, b/c it feels proactive and like I am not allowing myself to be a victim. I'm not sure what will happen from here, but if anyone is interested I am happy to give updates. It's not a situation I would wish on anyone, the way I've been treated, but hopefully this proceeding will give me closure and some hope that recourse is available, even in matters of the heart.
Take care, and don't undertake it lightly but also remember that these boards are there for a reason, and they want to help and take appropriate disciplinary action. I've never been of huge faith in the government and its agencies, but I am glad that I have reached out in this way.
poster:metalflipflop
thread:735104
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20070215/msgs/737993.html