My Mental Health Counselor (wa State) Initiated And Engaged In A Sexual/romantic Relationship With Me - Considering A Contingent Fee Lawyer.

I wasn't ready to report him to the DOH but a friend/colleague who I disclosed this information to reported him so now I need to figure out what to do. I have substantial text evidence that demonstrates our dual relationship as client/therapist and sexual partners - including nude photos, sexting, and conversations about the nature of our dual relationship itself.

I reached out to a therapist abuse nonprofit and they connected me with a firm that does contingent fee cases - I understand this means they take a percentage of anything they recover for us (usually 30-40%) and if they don’t recover anything, I'm not expected to pay. I know I need to clarify and make sure there are no hidden fees. What i'm trying to understand is that the downside in some situations is that contingent fee lawyers may push to settle a case fairly quickly. Would I potentially be better off trying to find a pro bono lawyer? I have been made aware by DOH investigator that he is being represented by an attorney who is " familiar" with DOH process.

What makes things maybe more complicated is that I am a pre-licensed therapist now. So, this person and I work in the same field. I was a student therapist intern at the time of our relationship. My goal is to 1. protect myself (people keep telling me it would be stupid for him to slander me but i'm scared - this work is the most important thing in my life and I feel like an idiot for getting involved in this mess - i know i was taken advantage of but it's how I feel ) 2. Protect others 3. Receive financial compensation - this therapist was aware that I have long hx of sexual trauma and unhealthy relationships with men. He was the first male therapist I ever chose to work with and best therapist I ever and someone I trusted implicitly up until he suggested we become intimate. I don't know that I've even been able to fully acknowledge how I have been impacted but it has been hell.

In summary, thoughts on going with contigent fee lawyer that I'm not considering? recommendations for alternative legal support? I had thought about asking family for finances with legal support but I'm too ashamed to tell them and they don't have a lot to give. I haven't made my official report yet, should I try to do so before he makes his? Thank you for taking the time to read if you have made it this far.