Therapist Accused Of Having S3x With Patient In Car

A therapist who entered into a sexual relationship with a former patient just ten days after her final session has successfully challenged disciplinary action by his professional body to clear his name in a legal ruling.

Neale Haddon, a seasoned psychotherapist with more than twenty years of experience, started a six-month relationship with a former client after treating her for a driving phobia. The woman had reportedly initiated romantic advances toward Haddon, including inquiring if he found her attractive during therapy sessions. After therapy concluded, she invited him for a drink, which he initially declined due to professional boundaries.

However, ten days after her final session, Haddon agreed to meet her. The two soon began a relationship, which included intimate encounters at her home and once in his car. They also exchanged explicit messages throughout their relationship, which spanned from late December 2019 to June 2020.

The UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) deemed Haddon guilty of “serious misconduct,” stating that he had violated core professional values by engaging in a sexual relationship too soon after the therapeutic relationship ended. Consequently, his name was removed from the UKCP register.

Haddon challenged the decision in the High Court, with his legal team arguing that the imposed sanction was “disproportionate.” He asserted that the relationship began only after his professional responsibilities had ended and after the client had demonstrated significant recovery—specifically, overcoming her fear of driving on busy roads.

Deputy Judge Rory Dunlop acknowledged that Haddon had not allowed sufficient time to pass between the end of therapy and the start of the sexual relationship. “Ten days was plainly not enough to ensure proper closure,” he stated, emphasizing that any therapist should recognize that such actions could lead to disciplinary consequences.

Despite this, the judge determined that the original adjudication panel had exhibited bias against Haddon after hearing his oral testimony. “My overall assessment is that the adjudication panel took against the claimant after hearing his oral evidence and failed to balance their adverse impression of him against the available evidence,” he said.

The court decided that the case will now be reviewed by a new disciplinary panel. The outcome of this reassessment will determine whether the previous sanction remains or is modified.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli