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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think it’s a crime to pretend to be a registered doctor?

140 replies

Domino34 · 21/05/2024 22:53

Keep this short and sweet, please help me out!
I discovered that the ‘psychotherapist’ that ‘works for the nhs’ I’ve been having therapy sessions on the phone with, was actually not a doctor at all. Payed for by DH. I think I’ve been a victim of coercive control. Yet another tactic to manipulate me and be in a position of power. It sounds crazy, I know! My question is, is it a crime in the same way where if somebody pretended to be a police officer? I feel like my mind has been violated. I haven’t done anything about this. . . What can I do?

OP posts:
DistinguishedSocialCommentator · 21/05/2024 23:08

Ciderlout · 21/05/2024 23:01

They probably have a PHD so can use the title Dr but they aren’t medically qualified.

Exatcly that

We used a surgeon to trim our tress and bushes, He claimed to be a "Tree Surgeon" but his work did not match his title

TheChosenTwo · 21/05/2024 23:09

Wait, just reading down this thread, am i right in thinking you suspect your dh of having an affair and him arranging you some therapy with the woman whose photo you saw on his phone and then he buggered off?

longdistanceclaraclara · 21/05/2024 23:09

Too much to unlock here. Did your dh make you see this person? They could well have a phd. What else is going on to make you think coercive control? I am not in any way doubting you just trying to figure out how best to advise.

jazzybelle · 21/05/2024 23:10

TheChosenTwo · 21/05/2024 23:09

Wait, just reading down this thread, am i right in thinking you suspect your dh of having an affair and him arranging you some therapy with the woman whose photo you saw on his phone and then he buggered off?

Sounds like it and it also sounds like a load of rubbish.

TwattyMcFuckFace · 21/05/2024 23:10

Domino34 · 21/05/2024 23:05

I found a picture on his phone of a woman, I sent it around to find out who she was, someone sent me a video and the same woman had the same voice that I had been speaking to on the phone as a doctor. She is certainly no doctor. How could I fall for this?

What?

You think the woman in the video is the 'doctor' on the phone because they sound the same?

FreshStar · 21/05/2024 23:11

You’ve described this in a confusing way. Is this something your husband set up and duped you? Your OP reads as if you got scammed, but not that your husband set the scam up

CountingCrones · 21/05/2024 23:12

This is all very soap opera, OP.

Original poster
Domino34 · 21/05/2024 23:12

Not necessarily having an affair, but the woman is known to him yes, and I was speaking to her for a while and I thought she was a therapist/doctor paid for by him, he arranged the whole thing. She pretended to be a therapist, starting off the conversation with ‘hi it’s doctor such and such’ to extract confidential information from me to pass on to him. And yes he left when I discovered this.

OP posts:
FreshStar · 21/05/2024 23:13

Have you considered speaking to the police?

Allofaflutter · 21/05/2024 23:13

Call the police and report it.

Allofaflutter · 21/05/2024 23:14

Also call women’s aid. I’m so sorry for you.

TwattyMcFuckFace · 21/05/2024 23:15

How well does the person who sent you the video know her?

Original poster
Domino34 · 21/05/2024 23:16

I apologise for the confusion, I’m still fairly confused myself. I want to call the police, I guess I’m just scared too? I think I’ve been a victim of coercive control I’ve been very isolated and manipulated for a long time. This is just crazy. . .

OP posts:
StormingNorman · 21/05/2024 23:17

You think your DH found someone to pretend to be a therapist, so he could control you?

I am so sorry if this is the case. You should report him to the police and see whether there is anything they can do.

What he’s done is disgusting but I don’t know enough about coercive control to say if this meets the criteria. I would bloody hope so!

Original poster
Domino34 · 21/05/2024 23:17

Well enough for her to pretend to be a professional therapist for him, she was so convincing too :( offering to supervise him with my baby if I wasn’t comfortable with him taking her. Which I was not!

OP posts:
FreshStar · 21/05/2024 23:18

Domino34 · 21/05/2024 23:16

I apologise for the confusion, I’m still fairly confused myself. I want to call the police, I guess I’m just scared too? I think I’ve been a victim of coercive control I’ve been very isolated and manipulated for a long time. This is just crazy. . .

I think you should call the police and tell them what happened. You never know, the therapist might have duped him as well, but regardless she needs to be investigated just as much as he does.

GivePeaceAChance · 21/05/2024 23:18

If they told you they were a doctor or sent anything declaring it then yes it’s against the law.
The same as architects and lawyers. They are protected professions in law.

StormingNorman · 21/05/2024 23:19

Domino34 · 21/05/2024 23:16

I apologise for the confusion, I’m still fairly confused myself. I want to call the police, I guess I’m just scared too? I think I’ve been a victim of coercive control I’ve been very isolated and manipulated for a long time. This is just crazy. . .

I would call the police.

Or maybe call Womens Aid first. They’ll be able to help you understand what’s happened a bit more clearly so you can explain it to the police.

SpringerFall · 21/05/2024 23:19

GivePeaceAChance · 21/05/2024 23:18

If they told you they were a doctor or sent anything declaring it then yes it’s against the law.
The same as architects and lawyers. They are protected professions in law.

well you can be a Dr of Philosophy and lots of other things so there is no pretending about it

TwattyMcFuckFace · 21/05/2024 23:20

The person who sent you the video OP

How well do you know them and how well do they know her?

Original poster
Domino34 · 21/05/2024 23:21

She was silly enough to send a text and leave a voicemail stating herself as a doctor. There is no question this lady is not a professional of any kind as it turns out we have mutual friends. Small world? Womens aid will be my first point of call. Thank you

OP posts:
GivePeaceAChance · 21/05/2024 23:21

SpringerFall · 21/05/2024 23:19

well you can be a Dr of Philosophy and lots of other things so there is no pretending about it

Show quote history

Yes of course.
But certain professions are protected in law. A doctor of philosophy isn’t.
A doctor of medicine is.

StormingNorman · 21/05/2024 23:23

Domino34 · 21/05/2024 23:17

Well enough for her to pretend to be a professional therapist for him, she was so convincing too :( offering to supervise him with my baby if I wasn’t comfortable with him taking her. Which I was not!

Oh this is even worse as he was using it as a way to get to your child. And you say he has gone abroad to his parents after you uncovered what he was doing?

Is there a kidnap risk to your child?

Please speak to Women’s Aid AND the Police. You need this on record. You may even want to consider whether you can get a restraining order in case he comes back.

Original poster
Domino34 · 21/05/2024 23:24

TwattyMcFuckFace · 21/05/2024 23:15

How well does the person who sent you the video know her?

The person that sent me the video is the mutual friend.

OP posts:
Fraaahnces · 21/05/2024 23:26

Absolutely contact the police.