106 Comments
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Yvonne Cook's avatar

That she is still practicing and not in prison is absolutely nuts.

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Cody Taymore's avatar

I couldn't agree more. I believe this was sophisticated and coordinated. I'm hoping my lawsuit will bring justice and uncover the entire truth.

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Taylor Gilmore's avatar

Cody, I’m speechless and heartbroken reading this. The level of manipulation and harm you describe is horrifying, but what struck me most is the abuse of power and perversion of trust. Your courage in speaking out matters… not just for you, but for every survivor who’s still trying to make sense of harm that came disguised as help. Thank you for refusing to stay silent.

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Cody Taymore's avatar

Thank you Taylor. It means a lot to me sincerely.

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Breanna Mariposa's avatar

Ok, I’m only half way through and I keep saying “what the fuck!?!” over and over again. God, I am so sorry you had to deal with this woman. She is dangerous.

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Boring Quinn's avatar

Same. She's literally a sociopath! So my fear of psych therapist was real?? This is honestly heart wrenching

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Christiana Byron's avatar

Yes I think so too. She sounds exactly like my ASPD sister who’s so dangerous I live in terror of her attacks. Aspd is sociopathy and can be psychopathy too. I suspect most high scale malignant narcissists really have ASPD. Anyway dangerous as all hell. This story is terrifying . I hope to god she’s stopped!

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Melissa Sandfort's avatar

It’s terrifying!

I’ve had bad run ins with therapists who dialed it in, who weren’t very attuned, who rolled their eyes at me, but nothing like this.

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Cody Taymore's avatar

Yeah it was a complete mind fuck.

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Kimberly's avatar

The most sick, disgusting thing about your story is that it’s so similar to my own story that I’ve never been brave enough to share. It’s very healing to read the bravery in your words. I’m sorry anyone has had to go through that hell and that the system seems to protect these monsters.

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Christiana Byron's avatar

Omg your story is similar?! That’s horrifying! And I’m so sorry!

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Melissa Sandfort's avatar

Kimberly, so sorry you had a similar apocalyptic experience!

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KaZ Akers's avatar

What is the reason this charlatan, shyster, and thief is still allowed to practice? I hope you've found someone you trust. She sounds like she's a member of Scientology. Where they delve into your deepest and darkest issues and then hold onto it using it against you if you don't comply with the religion and their leaders.

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Andrew Errant's avatar

There’s a special level of sadness and despair when the institutions that we believe are there to protect us, or at the very least stop those who do this from doing so again, fail. Not struggle. Just fail to act, despite all of the time and energy spent claiming they have a purpose.

I hope some agency’s investigation actually happens.

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Cello Travis's avatar

This is nuts how is this women still practicing therapy there is no way this is legal this is a lot to deal with

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Melissa's avatar

I am so sorry you had to go through this. The apology letter alone is traumatizing enough. I cannot imagine the turmoil you have gone through.

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Patricia Ross's avatar

Unbelievable! I had some trouble really understanding the financial part of it: why were you giving her money on the schedule she'd set up? And her instructions not to date or contact people you were formerly in relationships with made it sound like she considered your relationship a romantic one and she was a jealous lover. Insisting that you be in therapy…was she picking out the therapist? In any event, it's a wonder she's still in practice and I'm glad you've taken the steps you have in reporting her. She needs to have her license removed ASAP. It sounds like she used many of the tactics of a cult leader with you the sole member of her cult. I'm glad you escaped and have found a legitimate (and I hope skilled) therapist to work with. Besides posting this on Medium maybe it should be printed in your local newspaper, pinned to her office door or passed out to passersby on the street. I'll bet you are not her first or only victim. I wish you a safe and healthy healing.

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Susan Basham's avatar

I am absolutely incensed over this and am so sorry that you experienced this. I have Clinical Therapy training and can tell you her breaches were too many to count. She has serious mental issues. Her license should have been revoked.

Years back, my husband and I did some marriage counseling. After a few sessions, I decided to continue on myself—-and then a month or so later the therapist called me up on a Saturday morning and asked me if I wanted to meet him for coffee. Oh it was so sly! I was shocked because not only is that taboo—you cannot resume even a platonic friendship until two years after counseling is complete. (Your story reminded me of that time and how I should write about it). I shot him down and read him the riot act but my training helped me be able to do that—-it wasn’t lost on me that he was taking advantage of me at a vulnerable time in my life and it angered me.

Fast forward—he did it later on to a someone else (they always do), an investigation was done, and he has now lost his license permanently.

I will tap into some resources I have and see what shakes out (I also used to live in MI).

Keep up the good fight. People like this are a shameful disgrace to the profession.

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Notes On Useful Beauty's avatar

Call a Lawyer that specializes in Medical Malpractice. Make sure he is willing to pursue the financial malfeasance. Make sure he is will to pursue an investigation by the State Licensing board. Drop all contact with any of those people. if any of them contact you call the police. Now that you have written it all down, write another piece discussing each time you ignored a red flag and how you will deal with a similar situation in the future. Focus on future improvement, not past hurts. Where are you going from here?

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Promise's avatar

Brother you met the worst type of snake, you survived her venom and you're now alerting others. Don't give up. Wishing you justice and peace. Her potential future victims may never know about you but they'll owe you a lot. <3

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Jeremiah | Sexvangelicals's avatar

Holy shit Cody! I'm really really sorry to hear about this. As a therapist who trains therapists and has collaborated with licensing/ethics boards, this is absolutely horrendous.

I'm writing an article next week about what the public can do if they experience exploitation from a therapist. Is it okay if I cite from you and this article? The steps that you left at the end of the article are really important.

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liv jarrell's avatar

oh…my god?? cody, this is absolutely nuts. i am so sorry you’ve been dealing with this, and for so long. you must be exhausted. it takes a lot of courage to publish something like this. i’m so glad you’re being vocal about your experience and getting the support you need to understand and work through something this insane. i’m so sorry. 😢

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Valerie's avatar

Cody, you should get in touch with Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR). They’re a watchdog org that has put thousands of people like this in prison. They’ll help you for free, they’re a nonprofit.

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Cody Taymore's avatar

I will look into this Valerie thank you

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Jodie Jones's avatar

The fact that she's still in practice is CRAZY.

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