Morals and Ethics of a Therapist

This one is uncomfortable

and deep …

This one is uncomfortable and deep.

As therapists we will come across many stories and situations. Some of us will be placed in awkward positions that will make us questions our moral’s and ethics.

This is one of those times …

I met my client for an anxiety protocol. A young gentleman that was seeking to gain his footing in the world. He was 17 years old and ready for adult life. He presented with anxiety aspects and we proceeded with hypnosis sessions. Once done he was happy with the service. His parents were so happy they then attended as well as his sister. This was turning into a positive outcome for the entire family.

Fast forward 8 months …

I receive a letter in the mail from a lawyer asking for access to his records as he was making a claim about an incident and wanted compensation. I was completely fine with the request.

That very same day I start getting questionable emails from the young mans mother (he was now 18). She was disappointed that I hadn’t addressed the trauma from the incident and was threatening me with legal action. I was upset (she was known in our community as someone that had become very rich from legal cases), but I proceeded to ask her calmly “can you please jog my memory of the incident and when it occurred”. The mother emailed me back and stated all the information about the incident. I knew from the lawyers request that the incident dates did not align with when the sessions occurred.

If it’s one thing that I hate in this world is liars. Even at my own self destruction I will not tolerate it.

I didn’t respond to the email. The next day she emailed again saying that if I were to ensure that the case was successful I would be “looked after”. Again I didn’t respond to the email.

One thing I was taught with my hypnosis and NLP training was the power of silence. I had 14 days to respond to the lawyer. I was going to wait and let the mothers true colours appear.

A few days later I received a “follow up” email about her offer. Again I didn’t respond.

After this I received a threatening email from her that If I didn’t comply that my business would be jeopardised. Again I didn’t respond.

From here she began to threaten damage to my workplace and home. This time I responded.

”Hi X,

Just a quick update. I have sent the request to the lawyer as well as forwarded all your emails to them. I am positive they will want to know the full story.”

I didn’t receive anymore emails.

A few weeks later I bumped into her at the local grocery store (it’s a small town and it was inevitable). She came at me aggressively and got in my face. In a low voice she threatened me. My response “I have insurance. If you are going to damage anything I will enjoy shopping for new things This is not an inconvenience for me.. Can I ask you to stop?”

She walked away in a huff (trust me I was wild - but the calm response was always going to work best in this situation).

Fast forward 2 years and I have moved interstate.

I receive another letter about the same case from a different lawyer. This time it states that they wont be paying me for the information and I am required to send it (the first time I charged them to send the information). I smiled and sent them an invoice stating they will receive the information upon payment.

This is not information required by the court. So yes! I will charge for it.

They paid - Here is the kicker. As the original file contained all the emails from the mothers correspondence (and I am not allowed to tamper with the file). I simply forwarded on the original content.

6 months on - To date - 4/08/2021 - I still don’t know what happened with the case. I do know the family moved overnight and without word to another state.

The point of this story is that people delve into unethical manners when they are struggling for power and money can make people do stupid things! (I have met therapists and leaders that are in it for the money, not the healing :(

My advice.

1. Stay calm and stick to your guns. If you have good bookwork and records you will be fine. I don’t know why these people think it’s ok but we must handle it responsibly.

2. Have insurance - If someone destroys something of mine I will enjoy shopping for the new designs and décor.

3. Always record your sessions. I have a camera running and I tell the client that the camera is running from the start. If they are not comfortable with that then I wish them a lovely day. The camera is for my safety and protection.