Can You Ask For Your Records, Or For Them To Be Destroyed?

[Orange Moose]

I used to have an under qualified completely useless (borderline abusive!) student therapist. I got about three times worse while seeing her and she had no trauma qualifications, she wasn't even a qualified therapist at the time. I am thinking of reporting her for causing harm but in particular I'm a bit freaked out that she still has all my records - including an emergency phone number to my family (who don't know I went)

I'm half thinking of reporting her but at the very least want my records destroyed. But I'm almost afraid I'd have to meet her again (even through I saw her through her college) or that they'd in some way blackmail me with the contact details.

 

[EveHarrington]

Can you identify your country? Laws regarding this likely vary from place to place.

Usually you report a therapist to their governing body/who gave them certification but I don't know if they have the power to discipline for actions that occurred before the qualification was earned.

 

[Friday]

If you're in the states, they can't destroy them. Legally psych records have to be held for 7 years, and most places I know of policy to 10 years just to cover changes in the law / give themselves some wiggle room. You can request copies, but you can't get the originals.

In part, for the second half of your question; if someone reports them or sues them? They need to have those records.

It's not like those records follow you, however. In fact, you have to not only tell a new provider who you saw before, but also sign very specific consent to share info paperwork allowing for those records to be sent to them.

 

[joeylittle]

Did you sign a release specifically addressing the fact that she was a student? Since you mentioned seeing her through her school, I wondered.

Being a training client in most areas requires a release. I have many friends who get their dental work done by students (studying to be dentists) - and they have a standard release form that basically is a 'hold harmless' agreement.

Even if you didn't - if you knew she was still in training and not fully credentialed, im not sure how you can make a case for how she was damaging. If you didn't know, and she hid that fact - that's different.

 

[Orange Moose]

Did you sign a release specifically addressing the fact that she was a student? Since you mentioned...

I had emigrated and the place I moved from simply didn't have therapy options. So I know next to nothing about therapy and why you should see a well qualified person for complex problems (I also knew very little about trauma too or its depth)
If I signed a 'hold harmless' release I don't remember it and I wasn't told. I signed a fairly standard one if I remember correctly. I guess I also think I should have been referred to a crisis centre (seeing as there is a good one in my city) seeing as she had absolutely no right to be seeing me. I'd liken it to seeing a nurse when you should be seeing a consultant!

 

[EveHarrington]

Maybe her actions weren't all that great but at the end of the day we are responsible for our own care.

I'm concerned that you don't seek out knowledge of this stuff ahead of time.

Why didn't it raise flags to you that you were seeing someone unqualified when you knew she didn't have her Certification?

The therapy world is very much buyer beware. I think you stumbled on a bad one but it's probably best to move on with the realization that next time it would be best to do some research before seeking treatment.

 

[Orange Moose]

Maybe her actions weren't all that great but at the end of the day we are responsible for our own...

I really disagree with you Eve. Vulnerable people in a really bad situation are not to blame. If a place is an accredited training centre it shouldn't be buyer beware. They shouldn't be offering therapy if they can't handle clients.

I'm from a part of the world where therapy simply is not a thing. I didn't know anything about therapy as I'd never been taught about it so I accepted it all as being normal. I didn't realise how abnormal and irresponsible it was until I went to a decent psychologist.