A psychotherapist tried to ‘teach’ a vulnerable pa

A psychotherapist tried to ‘teach’ a vulnerable patient about sex after she visited him for counselling, the GMC heard today.

(Mon)

Dr Christopher Allison, 56, showered the woman with gifts, took her on day trips to the park, and for drinks in pubs in a bid to boost her confidence and self-esteem.

But Dr Allison also launched into a physical relationship with her, groping her at his surgery and on secret visits to her home, it was claimed.

On one occasion he even tried to force her into full sex, but she stopped him, the GMC in central London heard.

Lydia Barnfather, for the GMC, told the committee: ‘He actively encouraged her to be sexually explorative with him.

‘He said he knew she didn’t like it but said he would teach her to like his ‘little friend.

”

‘He began to encourage her to touch his (erect) penis.

It was portrayed as being for her benefit, and she was grateful at the time.

‘

The hearing was told that the patient, referred as Miss A, was 38-years-old when she started visiting Dr Allison’s psychotherapy practice, Fairfields Clinic at Chequers Road, Basingstoke, Hants in 1994.

The woman had a history of depression, low self-esteem, anxiety and an eating disorder.

Initially all went well during her pnds stlg 30 an hour sessions, but after a few weeks Dr Allison began to make a move on her.

Miss Barnfather said: ‘At one session in 1994 he moved his chair close to the chair in which Miss A was seated.

‘That movement caused her even greater anxiety and led to some discussion about her fear of physical contact.

‘He tried to overcome that fear firstly by putting a hand on her knee and then by sitting together on the floor.

‘The stage was reached where he was to massage her head and neck if she was tense.

‘That went to the shoulder and back and it developed to other parts of her body, eventually her chest and breasts.

‘He began to give her hugs and kisses on the floor or in a chair with her seated on his lap.

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The hearing was told Dr Allison’s practice moved to his home in Skippetts Lane West, Basingstoke but he continued to see the patient.

They would go roller-skating and kite-flying together, and he would sometimes visit her home when her parents were away.

Miss Barnfather added: ‘The contact between sessions increased and became extremely informal.

It developed to the sucking of her breasts.

‘Kisses became frequent and intimate and he began to kiss other parts of her body including her pubic area.

‘He gave her sex magazines saying he was trying to educate her.

He said he wanted to teach her about more grown-up matters.

‘On one occasion he tried to enter her.

She was scared and prevented him from doing so.

‘He was careful to warn her not to tell people.

He said some people wouldn’t look kindly upon it and it would have to end.

‘He was aware she was very dependant on him and extremely fearful of rejection.

‘She was desperate that the relationship with Dr Allison should not cease.

‘

But in January last year bespectacled Dr Allison, who has a grey beard, ended the relationship suddenly and unexpectedly by leaving a message on her mobile phone.

She told her GP and a complaint was made to the GMC.

Dr Allison, of Avenbury, Skippetts Lane West, Basingstoke, denies serious professional misconduct, including having an inappropriate physical and sexual relationship with Miss A, and that the relationship would have an effect on her psychological problems.

The hearing continues.

ends

adddirty.