Therapy Ethics Reform

  One of the most disturbing parts of being abused is not only what the abuser does, but what happens when you finally speak about it and the person in front of you—someone who is supposed to help—responds in a way that deepens the harm. I needed support, clarity, and a safe space to understand what I was experiencing. Instead, I was met with reactions that felt dismissive, cold, and sometimes disturbingly aligned with the person hurting me. Over time, I realized I wasn’t only dealing with an abusive relationship. I was also dealing with a “helping” professional dynamic that seemed to train me to tolerate abuse, rather than escape it. There were moments when her reactions were so revealing that I could feel my reality slipping—not because I didn’t know the truth, but because she made the truth feel unsafe to say out loud. After I told her that he had charged over $700 on my credit card, I expected concern. I expected her to acknowledge that financial abuse is still abuse. Instead...

Lisa Hurst Barnhardt was Intentional  Whether a therapist practicing “with malice” is considered criminal depends on the jurisdiction and the specific conduct: 1. Malpractice vs. Criminal Conduct Malpractice : Most often, when a therapist harms a client (through negligence, incompetence, or unethical behavior), it falls under civil liability —the client may sue for damages. Criminal Conduct : If the therapist’s actions involve intent to harm, coercion, exploitation, or fraud, then it can cross into the criminal realm. 2. Examples of Criminal Acts by Therapists Fraud : Billing for services not provided, falsifying records, or insurance fraud. Intentional psychological harm : If a therapist deliberately inflicts psychological abuse (e.g., threats, coercion, encouraging self-harm), that could potentially be prosecuted under abuse, harassment, or even assault statutes. Breach of confidentiality with malicious intent : For example, leaking private therapy notes to cau...