Another Therapist Suspended in Sex Scandal

As seen here

A psychologist had an affair with a patient after he admitted having sexual fantasies about her, a hearing was told.

Gemma Bouwman began a relationship with the man despite knowing it could cost her her career.

And yesterday her fears were realised when she was suspended from practising for three years – the maximum period.

The patient, known only as Mr JG, was assessed by Bouwman in June 2003 when she worked for Leeds Mental Health NHS Trust.

He was said to have problems relating to physical and sexual abuse he suffered as a child, and also from being neglected by his mother.
A British Psychological Society conduct committee yesterday heard that, during one of their sessions, in April 2004, Mr J G told Bouwman that he wanted to have an affair with her.

She told the hearing that she tried to dissuade him, but eventually gave in – quitting the sessions so they could see each other non-professionally.

Mr Paul Epstein, for the BPS, said: "There was a discussion with JG about a potential relationship in which JG says he assumed Ms Bouwman was 'up for it'. Ms Bouwman said they would sack her.

"Therapy sessions were ended by Ms Bouwman in June 2004 in order that she might see JG outside a therapeutic setting. Ultimately, a sexual relationship developed between the two of them."

The affair lasted approximately five months, the hearing was told.
Bouwman, of Ilkley, admitted having a sexual relationship with her former client within two years of her ending her professional relationship with him. She also admitted bringing the profession into disrepute.

She told the hearing that she had raised her concerns about "professional boundaries" with JG after he admitted his feelings for her.

In her notes about JG read to the committee, she said: "He assumed I was up for it. I was his black lady.

"What if it turns out I am not? What if you are not my man? His eyes flickered anger, pain."

Bouwman also wrote: "If we had met outside this room it would have been different. We would have been free. I am not."

Ms Bouwman told the committee she later told him it was "completely impossible" to have a relationship, but she added: "I gave in to JG's pressure and agreed to discharge him and agreed to meet him without my professional hat."

BPS conduct committee chairman Dr Louis Kramer said: "The committee has taken into account all the mitigation, including her admission of the charges, the fact she has lost her employment, she was clearly under stress and there is no record of any previous complaints."

Jason Nash, defending, said Bouwman showed "honesty and remorse" about the inappropriate relationship with her former client. He added: "She had not tried to hide it."

The committee heard Bouwman was sacked by the NHS following an internal investigation. She has not worked as a psychologist since the incident because of her own health issues.