In Australia, a psychologist who entered into an intimate relationship with a patient will be tried: details
In Australia, a psychologist who entered into an intimate relationship with a patient and revealed details about other patients will be tried
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Melbourne psychologist Jonathan Walker will be tried in Australia, who had sexual contact with his client when she was in a vulnerable state.
As informs According to The Guardian, Walker took the girl to an apartment owned by his mother and told her confidential information about other patients.
This story began in 2013, when Jonathan, who was 41 at the time, began treating a patient 20 years younger than him. The family doctor referred the girl to Walker because she was suffering from anxiety and depression. By September 2014, she attended 16 sessions with him.
During treatment, around July 2014, Walker began communicating with her via e-mail and meeting outside of sessions. Psychological Council of Australia adviser Stephanie Justen said “the content of the emails was more personal and sexual in nature”.
The woman claims that Walker told her that he had developed feelings for her. And during the meetings he said that he was sexually attracted to some other clients.
In July 2014, the woman came to Walker’s house, where they had intimate contact.
“She was struggling at the time and had limited financial resources. She had broken up with her ex-partner. She needed somewhere to stay and Walker said he wanted her to live on his mother’s property.
She moved into the house around July 2014 and their relationship lasted until January 2017.” – said Stephanie Justen.
During their relationship, the psychologist sent his client e-mails containing personal information about the treatment of seven other patients. In his submissions to the tribunal, Walker said they had no information that could help identify any of them.
However, Justen reported that one of the e-mails “contains information that could lead to the identification of the client, including her appearance, family, diagnosis, ex-husband.”
The board said Walker “failed to maintain the boundaries between psychologist and client.”
Even after their relationship ended, the client and her psychologist continued to correspond. In his letters, he continued to give her diagnoses and offer treatment.
The commission applied to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal of Victoria in Australia that Walker, who has been suspended since the investigation began, should be reprimanded, disqualified from applying for registration as a doctor for the next five years, and will be prohibited from directly or indirectly providing any medical services as an employee, contractor, manager or volunteer.
According to Stephanie Justen, the board was concerned that Walker might try to work in another unregulated area of mental health.
“This conduct is unacceptable, sustained, multi-faceted. It is repeated and includes elements of dishonesty. Walker has shown disrespect by providing false information during the investigation.” Justen emphasized.
We used to toldthat 71-year-old Frenchman Dominique Pelicot, who was accused of organizing dozens of rapes of his own wife, pleaded guilty.