Therapy Ethics Reform

S eeing a therapist who is not a good fit, behaves unprofessionally, or violates ethical boundaries can indeed cause additional trauma or exacerbate existing mental health issues. This can happen through several mechanisms: Re-traumatization: Individuals seeking therapy often do so to heal from past traumas. A therapist who is not sensitive to the needs of trauma survivors or who mishandles trauma-related discussions can inadvertently re-traumatize clients. This can happen through lack of understanding, minimization of the client's experiences, or forcing the client to confront traumatic memories before they are ready. Violation of Trust: The therapeutic relationship is built on trust. If a therapist behaves unethically, such as by breaching confidentiality, displaying a lack of respect, or engaging in dual relationships (e.g., having a personal relationship outside of therapy), it can lead to feelings of betrayal. For clients who have experienced betrayal in the past, this can b