A psych guilty of a relationship “friendly”

Photo Chantal Poirier
The psychologist Karim Benhsain has acknowledged having had an intimate relationship with a former patient. In total, they have exchanged 273 calls, including some in the middle of the night.

Héloïse Archambault

Friday, 29 September 2017, 21:25

UPDATE
Friday, 29 September 2017, 21:25

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A psychologist from Rimouski, has acknowledged having had a relationship, ” friendly “, including curly braces, with a vulnerable patient and suicidal 22-year-old lived a “transfer love and erotic” to him.

Karim Benhsain had pleaded guilty to three charges filed by the Order of psychologists of Quebec (OPQ), in July last.

On Friday, the trustee has requested a write-off of three months. The lawyer, the psychologist suggested a cancellation of a week, as well as an ethics course.

Transfer love

One accuses Mr. Benhsain to have had a personal relationship with a patient, 22 years of age when he knew that they lived a “transfer love and erotic for him,” says the complaint.

The patient, whose identity is protected, has filed a complaint to the OPQ, in 2015.

“I now see the extent of the damage “, she wrote in her complaint.

In 2009, she had met Mr. Benhsain for therapy. A victim of sexual assault in her childhood, she was faced with a syndrome of post-traumatic stress disorder, and suicidal thoughts. In January 2014, the lady has again consulted with Mr. Benhsain.

The latter has recognized him for having braces, and gave me ” the hand that the woman put on her own “, one reads in the complaint. Mr. Benhsain had put an end to the therapy in February 2014, but had agreed to resume in the month of September next.

“The short time that the contact lasted, it is the first time that I felt the desire for someone” wrote the patient in an e-mail sent to the psychologist.

273 calls

According to the trustee, Mr. Benhsain told the lady that she was ” attractive “.

In December 2014, they have put an end to the therapy. However, in the following months, they exchanged 273 calls, of which 145 were initiated by Mr. Benhsain, according to the trustee. Some of the calls lasted more than an hour, and took place in the middle of the night.

Qualified as” friendly ” by Mr. Benhsain, the relationship lasted until June 2015.

Without a disciplinary record, the psychologist did not testify Friday.

The trustee has qualified the risk of re-offending ” omnipresent “. The case was taken under advisement.