Clients Need To Be Aware Of Therapist Abuse

What kind of trust factor do you think a client should have if they ever need to get counseling again, after finding out their LSW, LMFT, with a masters in clinical psychology, book author, lecturer, winner of social worker awards, and a long host of other accomplishments turns out to be a con artist? Using an individual's circumstances to make big cash is deplorable. This happened to my grandson who was the client. A little boy who experienced multiple abuses in his early life and we hired this therapist because of her credentials. To make a long story short, people need to check on those they hire to help them, not to become a victim of exploitation of trust and manipulation to make a fast buck and prolong therapy for the LMFT's own personal gain. Thank you.

Ben's Answer:

I agree with you. You should always check the credentials of a therapist you are planning to see. You can always look up their licensing board on the internet, put in their name, and find out if their license is current and if they have any negative history. I'm curious though, what made this therapist a "con artist" (did she actually not have those credentials, or write a book, or win awards?)

Just having a valid license to practice psychotherapy definitely does not mean that a therapist is good at what they do, or is necessarily the best therapist for you. It's always best, once you get the basic facts about a therapist, to make your own judgment based on your impressions and intuition about them. Recommendations from friends and others who have seen that therapist are also very useful.

An irresponsible therapist can do a lot of harm. The therapist-client relationship is a sacred one, and involves a lot of trust and vulnerability, so it is not hard for a therapist to take advantage of that power. Always choose wisely.

Best wishes,
Ben Schwarcz