Are Your Clients Abusing You?

By Jillian R. LaVelle

Did you ever have the feeling that your clients are abusing you? If so, you are not alone. In fact, if you have never been abused by your clients, you are in a minority. Client generated therapist abuse occurs at the rate of 83.3%. The types of incidents range from physical attacks to threats and statements of harassment of the practitioners of their family (LaVelle, 1996). The incidents have increased over a 1986 study where 81% counselors experienced either physical assault, verbal abuse, or other harassments from their private clients (Tryon, 1986). In 1976 the reported incidents were 43% threats to therapists by one of their clients and 24% physical attacks (Whitmam, Armoa, & Dent, 1976). This is a strong indication that we need to address our safety factors in an increasingly violent society.

After having been instrumental in the training of over 10,000 students through a hypnotherapy certification course, I was alarmed at the number of abused counselors in our field. I knew we had some; they would call me with their stories. A therapist would phone to report that they had talked their way out of a rape from a client who also threatened them with a weapon. Another would call to say that their client assaulted them. I thought that these were rare, isolated incidences until I conducted research. It turns out that therapists did not know to call and report the abuse. Here are some of the research findings: verbal abuse rated the highest at 72%, physical abuse 55%, and sexual harassment/abuse frequency was 61%. Males reported a higher incidence of sexual abuse than female therapists (males 75.9%, females 52%).

As alarming as these statistics of abuse are, many practitioners indicated that a change in their environment did decrease the incident rates for them. Remember, you are working with dysfunctional individuals, some of whom will become violent. Let me emphasize that these numbers are across the board, various types of therapists were surveyed. Many of these incidents take place during the intake section of the session, not necessarily during the therapy.

What can you do?

  1. Create a safe environmental in which to practice. This is not only for your client's protection but for your own.
  2. Do not see a client at your home if you are alone. One haunting statement of one counselor who had all the windows of her home bashed in by an out-of-control client was, "My home is no longer a satellite office."
  3. Install a security system to alert someone if you are in trouble. This can be a simple buzzer to a secretary or a home alarm system with a panic switch to the security station.
  4. Screen your clientele. One of the most significant factors in the lower sexual abuse rate for female therapist is that they have learned to screen their clientele more carefully.
  5. If you feel the individual may become violent, do not see them in an exclusive area.
  6. Set up a code word or phrase with your assistant or associate to alert them that something is wrong.

If someone assaults you, you have the right to press charges. Just because they come in for therapy does not give them the right to break the law. Battery is illegal. Rape is illegal. Counseling is a two way street. You have as much right to be protected as they do. You have no way of knowing if this individual is a repeat offender, you may be his their therapist victim this week! We can all learn from the past and create a healthy future. If you would like further suggestions on developing a safe counseling environment in your practice feel free to write or contact me.

Jillian LaVelle, International Association of Counselors and Therapists, 10915 Bonita Beach Road #1101, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 or call 941-498-9720.

 

Return to Literary Works Home Page           Return to NFNLP Home Page