American Iatrogenic Association Library
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Psychiatry
Psychotherapeutic Child Abuse
The case of John Dicke
Playtime Is Over: The state has barred a child psychologist [John Dicke] from using adult sex toys in therapy sessions.
"In December, eight months after receiving the inquiries from [a young boy's] father and from the ACDSS, the seven-member [Colorado State Board of Psychologist Examiners] board came up with a stipulation banning Dicke from using any kind of sex toys in therapy. The order also prevented him from allowing clients to undress; using touch therapy or physical restraints; making suggestions or asking leading questions; and permitting any parent who has made allegations against another person from attending therapy sessions...The board also accused Dicke of inserting the dildo into Dallas's anus and, in a different session, of restraining the little boy and holding the dildo to his face while he sucked on it."
Denver Westword, Mar 14, 2002
In the disciplinary order relating to Dicke, the Board of Psychologist Examiners says that he was accused of the following:
a. During the first of five sessions with AS [a child] that respondent videotaped, Respondent allows AS to touch respondent's penis three times;
b. During the videotaped sessions, Respondent appears to encourage AS to disrobe and remain naked during the sessions;
c. During the videotaped sessions with AS, Respondent encourages AS to engage in sexualized behavior with latex adult sex toys ("dildos").
d. During a videotaped session, Respondent inserts a dildo into the anus of AS while AS is naked.
e. During videotaped sessions, Respondent physically restrains AS while AS is naked and holds the dildo to AS's face while AS performs fellatio on the dildo.
f. Respondent repeatedly engaged in leading and suggestive questioning of AS relating to allegations of sexual abuse by his father.
The website of the Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Institute, co-founded by Dicke, bears an article he has written, The Use of Synthetic and Anatomically Correct Penises in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Sexual Abuse. [pdf version here] The other co-founder of the Institute, Ralph Fisch laments that he may lose his teaching position at the University of Denver, in another Westword article stupidly titled, Guilt by Association, The article says that psychologist Fisch "has supported Dicke's use of adult sex toys in the treatment of children who have reportedly been sexually abused..." He is guilty of promoting evil and abuse, not of "association" with John Dicke.
Why is Dicke not permanently barred from practice? Why is he not being prosecuted for child abuse? Note that his resume shows that he has been an expert guest on many national TV shows and a consultant for NBC, CBS, CNN, and Fox. It also mentions that he is on the board of directors of the Society of Colorado Psychologists. In other words, he this is a man who is held in high esteem by his colleagues and the media, despite his detestable morality.
Is it very surprising that Dicke was able to find support in the media? "Denver's most recognized and respected investigative reporter" (says his station), acted as a manic cheerleader for the disgusting psychologist. But why should we expect anything more? TV news reporters are not admirable sources of high ethics. Here is the sludge served up by John Ferrugia of channel 7, an ABC affiliate: Psychologist Investigated For Child Abuse.
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