A renowned researcher, advocate, and psychiatrist in the field of trauma and abuse has been fired from the therapy center he founded 35 years ago, following allegations that he bullied his colleagues.

Bessel van der Kolk, author of the New York Times-bestselling The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma, a PTSD bible for both sufferers and clinicians, was fired from the Trauma Center in Brookline, Mass., in January, reports the Boston Globe. His ouster followed that of the center’s executive director, Joseph Spinazzola, over alleged mistreatment of female coworkers.

“No one is denying the impact that Bessel has had on the world,’’ noted Andy Pond, president of the Trauma Center’s parent organization, Justice Institute, in an email to employees, according to the Globe. “But a professional workplace has rules, and no amount of talent or skill excuses violations of those rules.’’

Pond further told the Globe that van der Kolk, “a part-time employee for 16 hours per week, violated the code of conduct by creating a hostile work environment. His behavior could be characterized as bullying and making employees feel denigrated and uncomfortable.” He also spoke with Yahoo Lifestyle via email regarding the allegations, and said he could not discuss whether the behavior was sexist in nature.

“The employees who came forward want us to keep these kinds of details private. Women do make up the majority of the workforce at JRI and elsewhere in these kinds of settings,” Pond, who has known van der Kolk for 13 years and “admired his work,” tells Yahoo Lifestyle, adding that he was “surprised and saddened” by the allegations.

Regarding how the situation might impact the field of trauma work, Pond says this: “While I am a social worker and manager, and would not characterize myself as an expert in trauma, I do have a broad understanding of the work. The world is much more informed about the impact of trauma, and the ways we can prevent it, or mitigate its effects. Back when Bessel started, that was not the case. But today, there are many researchers, thinkers, and treatment professionals who will carry on the work. It is a mature field, and is not reliant on any one person. At my agency and others, the principles of treating victims of trauma are woven into nearly everything we do. I am confident that the work will continue, stronger than ever, here and elsewhere.”

As to why even this field, with its deep understanding of psychology and abuse and healing, is not immune to society’s ongoing #MeToo moment, he says, “I think the answer is simple: No field is immune. But one reason I took such strong action is that I have a strong belief that any agency committed to social justice has to hold its employees to a high standard. In this case, there was no external pressure—we heard from the people affected, and acted ourselves to improve the workplace.”

Van der Kolk was traveling on Friday and not available for comment, according to his assistant. The Globe noted that he has filed a lawsuit against the Justice Resource Institute, accusing its leaders of violating his employment contract.

While various trauma-therapy colleagues of van der Kolk’s did not respond to requests for comment from Yahoo Lifestyle, some expressed a range of feelings about the situation — from shock and dismay to unsurprised relief — on social media platforms, including Twitter:

Bessel van der Kolk (influential researcher in #trauma) was fired from the Trauma Center over allegations of bullying employees. Sadly, this news reminds us that the mental health field is not immune to the challenges of harassment and bullying. https://t.co/FAgcEIepVn — CAMFT (@CAMFTTeam) March 8, 2018

OH MY WORD. BESSEL VAN DER KOLK HAS BEEN SACKED FOR BULLYING WOMEN. That really depresses and appalled me, given his status as an absolute expert in trauma. https://t.co/0kLG577iXU — God loves women ن (@God_loves_women) March 8, 2018

Sad day for my profession, and especially since Dr. Bessel van Der Kolk specialized in treatment of trauma! He has been fired from the Center he founded over allegations he bullied and denigrated employees at his renowned Trauma Center. https://t.co/Pqs6ViKCGi via @BostonGlobe — Patricia Ravitz LMFT (@PatriciaRavitz) March 8, 2018

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