The Des Moines Register published an article under the Police Beat section about a local area Therapist named Darla Krom. The Counselor with Primary Health Care of Des Moines is charged with sexual exploitation by a counselor or therapist. (Zilbermints, 2012). Des Moines police reported that Darla Krom began counseling the alleged victim as part of couple’s therapy at Counseling Associates of Central Iowa. Zilbermints (2012). After ending her personal relationship, the alleged victim continued to receive individual counseling which led to a physical relationship that later turned sexual, Zilbermints (2012) counteracting Iowa Law.
According to Iowa Law, at least one year should pass between the end of therapy and the beginning of a personal relationship otherwise the victim is deemed “emotionally dependent” on the therapist. Zilbermints (2012). "Emotionally dependent" means that the nature of the patient's or client's or former patient's or client's emotional condition or the nature of the treatment provided by the counselor or therapist is such that the counselor or therapist knows or has reason to know that the patient or client or former patient or client is significantly impaired in the ability to withhold consent to sexual conduct” (Iowa code 709.15).
Understanding the consequences of violating Iowa Law 709.15, Krom turned herself into Des Moines police authorities after being accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a client. Zilbermints (2012).
Counseling Associates of Central Iowa where Krom was employed has been in practice for more than 60 years, which makes it source trustworthy. The Des Moines Register, a credible source sheds light on the issue at hand by utilizing statements from the alleged victim to persuade the audience of the legitimacy of the claim. Finally the Des Moines Police further prove the validity of the accusations by Krom’s arrest at her own will.
REBUTTAL
Having studied and practiced in the field of Psychology/Psychiatry, Krom clearly used her expertise and her experience to take advantage of an emotionally distraught woman. I would like to believe that Krom initially had good intentions for the client and her significant other while they attended couple’s therapy. Yet however pure those intentions may have been something psychologically went wrong that compromised the security of the client and the position of the counselor.
I would like to suggest an “argument” from pity may have been the emotional force which caused the counselor to feel sorry for the client leading her to pursue a relationship with the victim. (Cheesebro, O'Connor, & Rios, Chapter 6, 2010). In addition, the counselor who is no rookie to counseling and therapy may have always been attracted to the victim. Krom clearly could have used her wisdom to undermine her plan to get next to the victim by making her feel guilty. The guilt trip entices feelings of guilt to get others to do or not to do something, or to accept the view that they should or should not do it. (Cheesebro, O'Connor, & Rios, Chapter 6, 2010).
The therapist played on the mind of the patient and took advantage of her vulnerability. Red Herring and Smoke Screen fallacies were clear tactics used to manipulate this situation in the favor of the counselor. Generally speaking, red herrings distract by pulling one’s attention away from one topic and toward another; smoke screens tend to pile issues on or to make them extremely complicated until the original is lost in the (verbal) “smoke.” (Cheesebro, O'Connor, & Rios, Chapter 6, 2010).
In this story, the counselor clearly manipulated the sessions to fulfill her own sexual pleasures. Krom later turned herself in to the authorities. I feel no remorse for Krom. Especially seeing that she only turned herself into the authorities after others told her she was in a relationship that conflicted with her professional interest. Really? As if she did not already know.