Queens has a lot to be proud of; it is home to many leading organizations that guide the Torah world. Rabbi Zvi Y. Gluck is one of our humble neighbors who is always ready to lend a helping hand. As CEO of Amudim, Zvi has become a lifeline to Jewish communities worldwide.
In recent years, especially in regions like New York City, mental health has taken front stage. In turn, mental health professionals are in high demand. Youth, adults, and seniors each entrust themselves to those educated and trained to help them live easier, more successful, and healthy lives. Regrettably, this trust has sometimes been broken in the most heinous and callous manners by those most counted upon by our loved ones in an emotionally vulnerable state. Several of my friends have lived through this ordeal, where they were taken advantage of in illicit fashion by hired experts in the mental health arena. It is far time that these uncanny individuals be held accountable for the abuse they inflict on struggling patients!
“Unfortunately, over the last few years, we have had a few cases where licensed mental health professionals, therapists, and social workers were having inappropriate relations with their clients,” detailed Zvi. “There were a few [cases] that went to the authorities and actually got prosecuted, because that in itself was a crime.” While the issue is certainly not one effecting only the Orthodox community, the cases that Zvi have dealt with have solely involved frum parties. Amudim is the communal resource for mental health struggles in the religious sphere.
Zvi expounded on the source of his advocacy. “More recently, we had a case of somebody that reached out saying that they went to the DA’s office – they went to the police – and they were told it [an instance where a therapist exploited their patient] was not a crime.” Baffled by such a notion, Zvi undertook the necessary research where he learned firsthand that an entire category of licensed mental health practitioners was not included in the law making such actions illegal. Unsure if it was a mistake, oversight, or some other reasoning that separated these providers from others in similar fields, Zvi sought the advice of Assemblymember Sam Berger, a common-sense thinking member of society and government. Together, they spent considerable time understanding the nuances at hand, and barely a week later, the assemblymember was hard at work penning a draft of the prospected change as well as gathering co-sponsors that has now reached 70 colleagues. State Senator Nathalia Fernandez is sponsoring the bill amongst her House. Berger is of firm belief that any loophole holding back a patient from finding justice against an abuser must be permanently closed. “Sam really understood the importance of this matter,” related Zvi. “He began really pushing the issue forward.”
The bill has been entitled “Gittel’s Law,” recognizing the Jewish female survivor who had been sexually battered by her licensed mental health counselor who had been certified under title 8 of the education law.
Back in 2004, the State Legislature passed a law banning most categories of therapists from engaging in relations with patients under their care. Yet, the law remained stagnant as the variety of therapist licenses offered by the State evolved. Licensed mental health counselors are a standout example of a therapist classification that does not fall under the state law as written. Others include licensed physicians, licensed psychologists, registered professional nurses, licensed clinical social workers, licensed master social workers under the supervision of a physician, psychologist, or licensed clinical social worker, as well as any other mental health provider.
Zvi has high hopes for the law that would cover treatment sessions, consultations, interviews, and examinations to be signed before the end of the legislative session later this year.
By Shabsie Saphirstein
