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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

I have found evidence of an inappropriate relationship. What to do? Long. Sorry.

190 replies

separated · 13/02/2012 19:14

My husband is a therapist. He deals with fairly severe cases of depression and other mental health issues.

Background info. There is a history of his domestic violence against me. He was arrested once but denied it. My word against his. My son has recently become quite aggressive with me. An ongoing problem.

We are divorcing, his choice, and selling the house but we are still living in the house at the moment with our two teenagers. I have started several threads in the last few weeks. He ended our relationship at Christmas but assured me that there was no one else.

I have found evidence to the contrary. And the evidence proves without a doubt that it's with a client/former client. This is strictly forbidden. I confronted him about it. He denied it but asked me to jog his memory by showing him the evidence. I knew what would happen to it if I did so I have copied it and given copies to close friends until I decide what to do. He is a psychologist and incredibly good at appearing innocent. He is wily. He always used to say that he would never hurt me in such a way that there would be evidence.

For the first time in this increasingly twisted twenty year relationship, i actually have some solid evidence of yet another thing that he is denying. Essentially it's several sides of A4 paper with him weighing up various solutions such as: tell no one, admit it to his boss, discuss it with the BABCP which is his regulatory body or something or to continue the relationship (he sometimes refers to it as a friendship in this evidence) but make it non sexual for 2 years. I assume this two years refers to a period when a therapist cannot have a relationship with a client after treatment finishes. He considers drip feeding the information to his boss as another option.

I thought that he would admit what has happened. He hasn't. But this time I know. I thought that this would give me the space I need; it was bad enough finding out over Xmas that he no longer had feelings for me. And he didn't even leave for a few days to let the dust settle, instead he asked me to pretend that everything was normal, for the sake of the children. Which I did. I really thought, now that I know that he has started some sort of relationship, or thought about it, with a client that he should leave for a while. And he won't. It's so disrespectful. And it's actually wrong. He has crossed a line with someone.

Please do you have any words of wisdom? Really, he should lose his job. But do I want to be the person that makes that happen? I had intended to walk away from this marriage with a clear conscience. But would this just be revenge? Incidentally, this is what he told the police that it was when I had him arrested. He told everyone that and still maintains to everyone, including me, that that is what it was.

My other worry is that this could kick start his violence again. He hasn't laid a finger on me since he moved back in in August 2010 when we agreed to try again. Actually, when I agreed to try harder and he agreed to try to forgive me for his arrest(!)

He came back home at lunchtime today. He never does this. I thought that it was to explain to me about this woman. It wasn't. All he wanted was the paperwork that I had found (under his mattress). He accused me of stealing his property and asked to have it back. When I refused, he took my car keys. I only got the keys back because I said that he was frightening me, he was, and that I would have to call the police if he didn't let me leave in my car. Simultaneously, my sister phoned and I remained on the phone, with her listening, until I was safely in my locked car.

What a mess. But at least I know that this wasn't really about me. It's not my fault that the marriage has ended. He found someone else.

Any advice gratefully received please.

OP posts:
callmemrs · 13/02/2012 19:18

You want to end the relationship because he has been abusive ro you. I don't see the relevance of whether he has or has not had a relationship with someone else, who may, or may not be, a former client. As you are divorcing, then you are ending your relationship with him.

maybenow · 13/02/2012 19:20

this other person is clearly in a vulnerable position, he is taking advantage of a patient/doctor relationship.
this would be bad enough, but you also know that he's potentially violent and abusive.
you should not feel a single thread of doubt that sharing this information and allowing his professional body to investigate is the right thing to do.

you've clearly been in a bad place, and need to look out for your own interests, so if you need to get away first and cut all contact then do that. but at some point you should pass on this evidence you have (even if anonymously).

nkf · 13/02/2012 19:21

I don't know where to start but it sounds awful. Can you really manage to stay in the same house while you are separating. He does sound scary. The paperwork is his property but I'd make copies if I were you.

God, I'm being useless. The most immediate problem first. Removing yourself from possible violence. I think that has to be the priority. How are the children?

separated · 13/02/2012 19:23

The children are okay. Both are pretty cross with their father for the way in which he has behaved to me, and with them.

OP posts:
LadyMedea · 13/02/2012 19:25

It's not revenge. It's doing a service to the public. He has abused his position if he has got involved with a client/former client. His employer and professional body need to know. Even a friendship with a client/ex client is against the rules

I would just go straight to both of them with the evidence a nd file for divorce for adultery if one of you hasn't filed already.

Definitely time to tell the kids - they are the only ones who need protecting for thus. NOT HIM!

Tillyscoutsmum · 13/02/2012 19:27

How old are your dc's ? Are you counting on maintenance from him for them ?

I know its incredibly selfish but if he does lose his job, your chances of getting anything from him are scuppered. At the same time though, I do appreciate that he is abusing his position and, potentially, with a vulnerable person. I genuinely do not know what I would do OP.

Bogeyface · 13/02/2012 19:27

you wouldnt be the one losing him his job, he would. And as Maybe said, you know how manipulative, violent and abusive he is, could your conscience let him unleash that onto someone who is in a very vulnerable position?

You should report him to his boss and his regulatory body asap. And also, get yourself and your children out of there until the house is sold because his behaviour today has proved that he will do anything to get this proof back. He has been violent before and if he thinks his job is on the line then why wouldnt he be violent again?

separated · 13/02/2012 19:28

I'm afraid, rightly or wrongly, the children know everything now.
He has filed for divorce on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour based on 'hearsay': the fact that I made a statement against him and he was arrested.

OP posts:
HarlotOTara · 13/02/2012 19:29

As a therapist myself I see this is an appalling breach of trust and he should not be able to work with anyone. It is an absolute no-no. I am sorry for your situation too by the way and appreciate that he has been abusing you - hence your anxiety. Given what you have said about your marriage it is hardly surprising that he feels he can be abusive towards patients/clients as well. I would have no compunction about reporting someone who has done this, in fact had to once. I assume you mean he is a member of the BACP?

separated · 13/02/2012 19:29

I could manage without his money. I earn just about enough although, for health reasons, I cannot assume that I will always have my job.
My children are 13 and 15.

OP posts:
separated · 13/02/2012 19:31

Yes it could be BACP.
Thanks for everyone's input. So, generally, it seems that most people feel I should do something about this.

OP posts:
Bogeyface · 13/02/2012 19:31

You can file yourself for adultery, you dont have to go along with the UR. Infact, I would just to show him that he isnt in charge of everythiing as he appears to think!

separated · 13/02/2012 19:33

I have to shut down my laptop for a little while.

OP posts:
NoWayNoHow · 13/02/2012 19:33

Wow, there's a lot to absorb in your OP.

Firstly, if your DH is (a) a psychologist, and (b) violent and abusive, then I don't see it as revenge AT ALL - I would go so far to say that you are duty bound to report him as he in a position to do some serious harm to a patient if they are vulnerable to him. There are rules governing the relationships between people in a position of power and trust, and the clients they help, and they're there for a reason. I think you've done the right thing in keeping copies of the evidence so he cannot deny it.

WRT your marriage, then if you are already divorcing, then it's time to stop playing by his rules. Your children are teenagers - do they still not know that you're separating? And if not, when are you going to tell them? Were they exposed to your H's abusive behaviour (both the physical abuse and the twisted terms by which you agreed to try again in 2010)?

I would think that with your new discovery, your H is probably going to ramp up his controlling behaviour in order to scare you, and yes, I think you're probably right to be concerned about the violence flaring up again. I think perhaps now is the time to get your affairs in order and make a clean break from him - do you have anywhere you can go with your DC?

LadyMedea · 13/02/2012 19:35

Just to say there is also the BABCP - www.babcp.com/Default.aspx... You can jus check their registers to see which one he is with for sure.

StuckUpTheFezziwigTree · 13/02/2012 19:35

I agree that you definitely have to report him. Also you and your children need to stay safe. Make sure you always have a phone with you and seek legal advice. I wish you all the best. Good luck.

NoWayNoHow · 13/02/2012 19:37

Sorry, X-post with lots of your posts, OP

Glad your children know everything. Also agree that there's nothing preventing you from counter-filing for divorce based on adultery. (if it's possible to counter-file? Don't know...)

I'm assuming that your H has arrived home if you had to shut down quickly - if there's even a HINT that he's turning nasty again, OP, please remove yourself and your children from the house tonight (making sure you have all necessary documentation such as passports, banking details, drivers licences, etc, etc) and take yourself somewhere safe.

Bogeyface · 13/02/2012 19:40

Thats a very good point, he could steal your passports, bank cards etc and hold them hostage for his paperwork, so make sure that he cant find them.

eandz · 13/02/2012 19:43

this thread is sending chills up and down my spine. firstly you need to establish a rapport with someone who can trust you 100% and knows you aren't lying or manipulating anything. To actually help this other woman you need to establish credibility.

eandz · 13/02/2012 19:44

because he likes to attack your credibility. ( we believe you!)

fabulousdarling · 13/02/2012 19:45

I'm almost inclined to say file the evidence with solicitors and tell your ex you want him to leave you the hell alone, and if he ever so much as lays a hand on you or causes you any disturbance in the future, you will make sure said evidence is posted next day special delivery to the BACP.

But that would be blackmail and I think in all this you need to concentrate on yourself first, get yourself to safety, sort yourself out mentally, because he has probably been using his experience as a therapist to play mind games with you. Actually are you sure that just by being violent he hasn't already broken his professional code?

This marriage is something you shouldn't regret ending in the slightest. I think you should make copies of the evidence just in case, but put taking any action against him on the back burner until you're mentally and emotionally ready.

CakeMixture · 13/02/2012 19:47

Seperated
I think you need to make sure you and your children are safe first and foremost.
I would take steps to ensure that you are living entirely separately asap.
If you can counter file (in the divorce) I would - why should he be allowed to tar your name with an allegation of unreasonable behaviour? He sounds awful tbh.

Then I would report him - if he has been violent and abusive to you, he will be to others. Except the next time it might be a client who is vulnerable

Keep safe op

separated · 13/02/2012 19:51

He is home. I shut my laptop as I needed to leave the room, so it came too. I have had many offers of places to go, but none are ideal unless he become aggressive. Yes, it is the BABCP. All thr important paperwork is in my car. Unfortunately my car developed a severe puncture today so I won't be going anywhere. Could be a coincidence but husband may have done it.

OP posts:
eandz · 13/02/2012 19:54

how physically aggressive can he be? (level)?

anonacfr · 13/02/2012 20:00

You need to report him. He might call it revenge but quite frankly who cares? From what you've said about him in this and other threads he is dangerous. He should not be preying on a vulnerable patient.

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