Читать книгу Ethics in Psychotherapy and Counseling - Kenneth S. Pope - Страница 20

Josefina was a Black Cuban high school student. She worked part time as a cook. During the first session with Dr. Marcus she poured out a heart full of pain from the discrimination and racist abuse she’d endured at her mostly-White high school and at her job. Just being able to talk about it made her hurt less, she said. She didn’t feel so suicidal as she had the last few weeks. The next session she showed up extremely distressed. She’d lost her job as a cook and could no longer pay for therapy.

Dr. Marcus, who did pro bono work conducting asylum assessments at a legal aid clinic, had never offered free therapy. He believed that patients would not value or work hard if therapy cost nothing. So, he suggested various ways they might barter for the fee. Josefina had nothing tangible to barter with but Dr. Marcus suggested that, since she had been a cook, if she were to cook him a meal and bring it with her to each session, he would accept that as payment. She gladly accepted, thrilled she’d be able to continue therapy.

After four more weekly sessions, Josefina failed to show up for her appointment. Instead Dr. Marcus was served notice of a malpractice suit filed by Josefina’s parents. They alleged that he had taken advantage of and mistreated a minor. Josefina had been suffering from racial prejudice, discrimination, and abuse at her high school and job, and instead of respecting her and providing valid treatment, he had treated her in the most stereotypical manner possible and turned a minor into his personal maid, telling her she must bring him his lunch. Both the subsequent therapist and the expert witness hired by the family agreed that treating Josefina in this way was unethical and damaging.