Fear of Flying psychiatrist accused of manipulating patient/employee

A patient has brought a disciplinary case against the director of Valk, KLM and Leiden University's fear of flying institute. According to the patient, the director, who is also a psychotherapist, seriously abused his position for years. The disciplinary case will be discussed in The Hague today. The accused is Lucas van G., psychotherapist, clinical psychologist, pilot and director of Valk, the Volkskrant reports. In recent years Van G. has distinguished himself many times as a fear of flying expert in the media. He received his doctorate on fear of flying and wrote several books on anxiety and stress management. The 43 year old patient told her story to the Volkskrant. After a fear of flying training, she asked Van G. if he could treat her for other mental health problems. He agreed. The treatment lasted for 5 years, with interruptions. During that time, Van G. also let the woman work for Valk as PR assistant. According to the woman, the psychotherapist abused his authority and position as a care provider by making her work on a largely voluntary basis. In total she estimates that she did about 100 thousand euros worth of work for him. She initiated many successful PR campaigns for Valk. She claims that Van G. made her depend on him by playing a major role in her personal and business life. In Van G.'s defense for the disciplinary case he states that "looking back he very well understands that therapy and business activities for Valk intertwined and that it should not happen", the Volkskrant reports. He should have separated the roles more clearly. He states that he "was drawn into a pattern very gradually" and that he never approached her personally or requested favors or services from her. According to him, she was unstoppable in her enthusiasm and he had to "slow her down again and again".