June 23, 2009: Michele Betti Goes To Oakland, California To Support Sexually Exploited Patient
By MICHELE BETTI | b&f opinions June 23, 2009
Michele Betti goes to Oakland, California to support SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, and one of its survivors who was manipulated and exploited by her Oakland psychologist John R. LoRé, Ph.D. repeatedly during therapy for several years. SNAP set up the event in order to warn everyone about this predator and to bring awareness to the community.
LoRé surrendered his license to the California Board of Psychology for sexual misconduct. But, he has started and co-directs an Oakland non-profit called Peace Parenting Project. Despite his license revocation, LoRé still lists himself as a psychologist on his website.
With his partner Lisa Bilgen, he has appeared as an expert several times on local television in the Bay Area, including at least three appearances on ABC’7s “View from the Bay.”
One of the things SNAP and the survivor are worried about is that LoRé may still be acting as a psychologist, counseling and exploiting patients. If you are suspicious they are urging you to call the California Board of Psychology and urge them to take additional action.
For more information contact David Clohessy at SNAPclohessy@aol.com or Betti & Franks at partners@bettifranks.com.
Copyright © 2009, b&f opinions.
I am so grateful that this is posted! Who knows how many people he’s abused and exploited?! No one should have to suffer at the hands of their therapist. Thank you for posting this.
Thanks to the attorneys and SNAP for raising high the awareness of sexually exploited people. It is sad that people in positions of power will abuse people who are depending on them. It doesn’t get any worse than that! The damage done to trusting individuals is multiplied when their faith in the position is shattered. The victim’s trust in anyone is reduced as they may be reduced to hiding out because they can’t trust anyone.
Too often the general public just can’t take in images of, for example, adults sexually abusing children because it is unconscionable; their eyes glaze over and they want to return to business as usual and let the guy or woman go off free. It’s crazy co-dependence to think abuser won’t do it again. We’ve seen this with prients just being moved to another church – WRONG! Abusers need to be prosecuted and in so doing, they can even be helped, that is, helped to stop. It may be an addiction. One way or another, we all need to face this problem and put a stop to damaging any more people.
Let’s hope that every person who was hurt by LoRe finds the courage to step forward, get help, and call police, so that others can be spared the horrific pain that is inevitable when a trusted professional crosses the line and exploits a vulnerable patient.
Barbara Dorris
Outreach Coordinator, SNAP
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
6245 Westminster
St. Louis MO 63130
314 862 7688
SNAPdorris@gmail.com
SNAPnetwork.org
There are two sides to every story, and in this one, a therapist overstepped the rules of his profession, but in a mutually consensual, long-term relationship. Dr. LoRe was my therapist for many years, and he never acted with anything but the utmost integrity and professionalism in our work together. I am a single (attractive) woman, and he never betrayed my trust or compromised our professional relationship in any way. I have several friends, both male and female, who also sought his help and received it without any breech of conduct or ill effects. In fact, we all agree that Dr. LoRe is an exceptionally bright, learned, compassionate, wise, and insightful person — a true healer, who did us nothing but good. I do not condone his actions in violating the codes of his profession, but I feel that the damage done to him by this organization and this patient — a disappointed former girlfriend — is the true crime here. The effects of this campaign to ruin Dr. LoRe’s career and his life are far-reaching, affecting not just him and his family, but robbing me and others like myself, who have benefited from his expert guidance and support, of an excellent doctor. While surely those judging him here do so with good intentions and in good conscience, they do not know the whole story. Dr. LoRe is no longer practicing — I know this because I would still be seeing him if he were.