Therapist committed malpractice

Published 4:18 pm Tuesday, August 11, 2015

A recent letter to the editor rightly acknowledged the good work that recently suspended therapist, Jeffrey Zheutlin, did with the writer’s family (“Violation doesn’t discount years of service on Vashon, July 22). But as one who teaches professional ethics in seminary, and a helping professional (pastor), I want to correct the common assumption that his affair was between consenting adults.

Counselors, therapists, pastors, lawyers, doctors and other helping professionals are bound by an ethical code that recognizes that the professional has constituted power in any helping session and works with vulnerable adults, youth and children. The professional’s responsibility is to use his or her knowledge and skill on behalf of the client and must never use the client to meet his or her own personal needs. The first rule is to do no harm. It is also the professional’s fiduciary duty to be aware that the client’s gratitude may be confused with love. Then it is the professional’s obligation to help the client be aware of the confusion and to keep the client safe, even if it means referring the client to a colleague.

The Department of Health acted appropriately in suspending Mr. Zheutlin’s license. When a helping professional has an affair with a client or parishioner, it is not simply a relationship between consenting adults. It is malpractice.

— Rev. Dr. Kathy Morse