Malpractice in psychotherapy. An overview.

Abstract

A generation ago, psychotherapy was rarely the subject of a malpractice suit. Most litigation involving psychiatrists resulted from physical harm, rather than emotional harm, to the patient. During the last twenty-five years, the situation has changed with juries returning verdicts in a large number of cases awarding damages totaling millions of dollars. More recently, restrictions on bringing medical malpractice claim generally have multiplied, but now the role of managed care is affecting the standard of care and choice of treatment.