Irkutsk Psychotherapist Allegedly Forced Patient to Admire Him, Faces Harassment Charges

An Irkutsk psychotherapist could become a suspect in a criminal case. One of his patients has appealed to the Investigative Committee and accused the man of sexual harassment. This was reported by the Telegram channel Baza. The information about the investigation was confirmed by the press service of the Investigative Committee for the Irkutsk Region, but they are not disclosing details of the case and are not commenting on it.

According to Baza, Diana turned to the specialist Leonid (all names have been changed) in the autumn of 2019 with complaints of panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. The price of the session was low, and the man made a pleasant impression, but then began to allow «inappropriate touches and hugs.» As reported by the Telegram channel, the first case of sexual harassment occurred in March 2020 during one of the consultations.

«Diana was sitting in the corner of the office, covered with a blanket, and crying. Then, as she claims, Leonid took advantage of her vulnerable state, began to harass her and remove her outer clothing. According to the girl, after that the man demanded to keep what happened a secret, threatening to give a severe diagnosis and have her placed in a psychiatric hospital if this case became known,» writes Baza.

Diana told the Telegram channel that she feared the consequences and therefore continued the therapy.

«According to her, in addition to forced intimate correspondence and continued sexual abuse, the psychotherapist began to force her to admire him and stroke his head. The girl states that Leonid manipulated her and instilled a sense of guilt, claiming that she herself wanted it,» it is said in the message.

Then the girl«s psychological state worsened, and she told everything to the psychotherapist»s wife and appealed to the Investigative Committee. According to her, the man also harassed other patients.