Sexual Abuse by Mental Health Professionals: Why Speak with a Lawyer?

Licensed mental health professionals are held to specific ethical standards by the boards that govern their licensures and, in some cases, to state laws related to their disciplines. Professional ethics rules and laws protect patients from harm.

Sexual relationships between practitioner and patient can do great damage and exploit the significant power differential that exists between the two parties. This type of sex can meet multiple definitions of abuse — it is fundamentally an abuse of power, an abuse of trust.

Holding Therapists Accountable for Their Misconduct

With the right legal guidance, accountability for unethical therapists and health care providers is possible in cases involving:

• A licensed psychologist (LP) who engages in sex with a patient

• A licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) who has an inappropriate relationship with a client

• A licensed social worker (LCSW, LICSW or LSW) who takes advantage of a client or patient

• A psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse who has sex with or inappropriately touches a patient who is or was under their care

• A professional counselor (LPC) licensed by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) who behaves unethically with a client

• A nurse practitioner or physician assistant who has a sexual relationship with a patient

• Touching, groping or other sexual contact perpetrated by a therapist or counselor

It can be embarrassing and stressful to come to terms with sexual abuse committed by your doctor or therapist, but we will never judge you, and we will always treat your matter confidentially. Our firm is highly experienced at holding abusive doctors and other licensed professionals accountable for their actions, which in turn also keeps other people from being victimized in the future.

They Know It’s Wrong

All psychologists, therapists and medical practitioners know full well that they are forbidden to engage in inappropriate sexual relationships, even if the relationship is initiated by a client or patient, and that these relationships are considered abusive. Most therapists receive extensive training on professional ethics in graduate school and are often tested on these topics in order to receive licensure in the first place.

In many cases, professionals can be stripped of their license to practice, face public censure, be suspended from practicing for a period of time or face other serious personal and professional consequences when they cross certain lines with their conduct.

An Experienced Minneapolis Attorney for Sexual Abuse by a Therapist or Counselor

If you are unsure about how to proceed, get help from an attorney experienced with cases involving sexual abuse by licensed mental health professionals. If you have been abused by a therapist, we will not judge you; on the contrary, we can protect your rights and advocate strongly on your behalf.

You can discuss your case confidentially with a lawyer by calling 612-877-6400 or emailing us.

"After contacting many law firms that were unwilling to take my case, I was referred to Patrick. At our first meeting, he was open and candid with me about the legal process, taking time to hear the details of my situation and explaining all of my legal options in a clear and concise manner. 

Patrick validated everything I went through. He heard me and was my voice, and kept my best interests in mind the entire time. I highly recommend him as legal counsel." — Kacey