Woman Files $2 Million Lawsuit Against Portland Psychologist Laurence Christensen for Sexual Abuse

May 27, 2020

A woman has sued a Portland psychologist for $2 million, alleging he sexually abused her over a period of more than three years while she was his patient.

The former patient alleges Dr. Laurence Christensen escalated physical contact with her over time, starting with holding hands with her and embracing her during their appointments in 2015, and eventually having sexual intercourse with her.

In a lawsuit filed last week, the plaintiff said she sought therapy with Christensen in summer of 2014 to address her childhood sexual abuse, difficulties in her marriage and other personal matters.

In the time she was his patient, the lawsuit alleges, the plaintiff told Christensen highly personal information she had never told anyone else, and that Christensen seemed sympathetic and positioned himself as her “protector.” The lawsuit states that the patient grew to trust him, but several months into the relationship, Christensen began initiating physical contact with her. He would also verbally counsel the patient, and would often tell her intimate details of his own life, the lawsuit said.

The patient alleges that Christensen pressured her not to report his behavior, and that she did not do so until 2018 when she started seeing a new therapist.

The plaintiff is not identified by name in the suit. Christensen did not respond to a request for comment.

According to a stipulated order from the Oregon State Board of Psychology, Christensen had previously been disciplined in 2007 for inappropriate conduct with another patient. Christensen was ordered to practice under a supervising psychologist for one year, after accusations that he failed to maintain appropriate boundaries with a client.

The stipulated order also states that Christensen withdrew from practicing psychology in 2017, and admitted that he had violated boundaries, either verbally or physically, with four different patients between 2004 and 2018.

The board issued a proposal in February of 2018 to revoke Christensen’s license to practice psychology and fine him $40,000, alleging he violated state laws and engaged in unprofessional conduct with a patient.

“It’s a devastating breach of trust,” said Barb Long, the attorney for the plaintiff. “She began therapy from a place of vulnerability, and Christensen used that vulnerability to exploit her.”

Source: Jayati Ramakrishnan, “Portland psychologist sued for allegedly sexually abusing patient,” The Oregonian, May 22, 2020. URL: https://www.oregonlive.com/crime/2020/05/portland-psychologist-sued-for-allegedly-sexually-abusing-patient.html