A Southland therapist contacted a sexual abuse survivor he was counselling through her sex work advertisement. Illustration / Paul Slater
A committee investigating a complaint against a Southland therapist who responded to a client’s sex work ad have found the man breached the organisation’s code of conduct.
Following earlier Herald reporting on the case, it can now be revealed that the counsellor, Jamie Addison, has been suspended from offering ACC sensitive-claims counselling.
The woman at the centre of the complaint is a survivor of sexual abuse and had been receiving funded ACC counselling with Addison.
She did not believe he should be allowed to work with ACC clients in the future.
“He shouldn’t be practising with vulnerable women. That’s why I took it as far as I have,” she said of her complaint.
“There are systematic changes that need to go on.”
Addison declined to comment on the investigation outcome.
Initially, an investigation was undertaken earlier this year by the man’s former employer, Hiwa Navigation, but it ended prematurely after he resigned.
Hiwa Navigation said the investigation ceased on the understanding that the same matters were being investigated by two other official bodies.
The organisation said both had greater power and mandate to carry on with the investigation, but Hiwa was still actively engaged in the process.
Subsequently, an investigation was launched by Dapaanz, the Addiction Practitioners’ Association Aotearoa New Zealand, of which Addison is a member.
In summary, the complaint alleged that Addison had engaged in a number of ethical breaches relating to boundary violations, privacy breaches and inadequate care.
A copy of the Dapaanz Practice Standards Committee (PSC) final report obtained by the Herald found “numerous ethical breaches as specified by Tikanga Matatika [code of ethics] across all three pou of the Code“.
The most serious of which, the document said, was the text message sent to his client’s sex worker number.
It said: “Hi there just saw your ad and thought id flick u a text [sic].”
“While Mr Addison has denied that he was aware that his message was to [the client] due to her use of a pseudonym, he has conceded that he did send the message in response to an advertisement for sex work,” the decision said.
Although he was legally within his rights to contract a sex worker, the PSC said within this context, there were ethical issues.
“This is particularly concerning given Mr Addison’s work with vulnerable women and that he sent the message on the same phone that he used for work to contact clients.”
The committee also noted inconsistencies and disparities in his responses regarding this allegation and the ambiguous nature of the text.
The PSC expressed concern with Addison’s comments about the allegation, which speculated that the woman’s complaint was financially motivated.
It viewed these comments as blaming the woman, instead of taking responsibility for his own actions.
“This reflected limited awareness of power dynamics within the therapeutic relationship, particularly when working with trauma, and the impact that these boundary violations have had on [her].”
The woman told the Herald she came forward with her story to ensure other women were safe while they sought healing.
Addison told investigators one of her claims, that he had left the room during one of her appointments and left a list of names visible to her, was because he got a call from the woman’s GP.
“The response stated that if documents with client names was observed by the complainant that this was an oversight and the onus [was] on [her] for looking at it,” the investigators said.
However, after the woman was provided the draft report, she provided evidence from her GP which disputed this claim.
The PSC said this additional evidence indicated dishonesty on the part of Addison.
As well as this, Addison admitted to hugging the woman at the end of her sessions, saying that he did this regularly as “normalised within the context of his Māori cultural background”.
Upon reflection, he acknowledged this may not be appropriate for clients from different cultural backgrounds.
Another issue the woman had raised, regarding session times and invoicing, was out of the investigation’s scope.
Given the seriousness of the complaint, the PSC said it was important to note deregistration was considered as a possible outcome.
The PSC noted that Addison had been working in the addiction sector for a number of years and was involved with important kaupapa within the community.
“Rather than this being a mitigating factor, the PSC viewed this as further concern that his training and standing within the community was not being reflected in practice.”
The PSC recommended Addison’s registration to be demoted to that of Provisional Practitioner for 24 months.
He needs to fulfil all PSC recommendations if he wishes to apply for full registration to be reinstated.
During this period, it said he must not practise privately.
It recommended Addison’s status as Accredited Clinical Supervisor be removed for the 24-month period.
The PSC also recommended he complete training in trauma-informed care and engage in supervision, preferably with a female supervisor.
That supervisor must submit six-monthly reports, including on how Addison was maintaining professional boundaries.
The investigation findings were to be shared with ACC and the Health and Disability Commissioner.
The report said Addison accepted responsibility for his actions, and that he has committed to further professional development.
An ACC spokesperson said the agency had not been made aware of the outcome but confirmed Addison remained suspended while investigations were ongoing.
The HDC confirmed a copy of the Dapaanz decision had been received and it was currently being reviewed to determine any action the HDC may take.
Dapaanz executive director Dr Sam White said the organisation was grateful the complainant raised her concerns.
“It is important that people who have concerns or complaints contact Dapaanz or the relevant professional body when they have a concern about the healthcare they have received.”
She said Dapaanz was confident the organisation’s complaints process had been followed and that the complaint was fully investigated, whilst also ensuring its member had a fair and transparent process.
“We will continue to monitor this case and ensure all recommendations are completed in line with our policies and PSC outcomes.”
Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers issues including sexual assault, workplace misconduct, media, crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2020.
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