St. Louis, MO – A Missouri woman has won a $2.135 million lawsuit against her former therapist, a St. Charles County professional counselor who previously served as a law enforcement officer in Lincoln County. The therapist was accused of sexually assaulting her during what were supposed to be therapeutic sessions, beginning with inappropriate physical contact and escalating to sexual relations.
The St. Louis County jury’s verdict followed a three-day trial concluding in mid-June, which resulted in the large award that included $1 million in punitive damages spread over three counts of negligence. The complaint detailed that the counselor, Craig Politte of Life Counseling Center LLC, exploited his professional position for sexual gratification under the guise of providing psychological care.
Politte had initially seen the plaintiff, Anita Karase, and her husband for joint marital counseling before transitioning to individual sessions with Karase at his office in Creve Coeur. Over time, he manipulated the therapeutic relationship, slowly engaging in more escalated physical contact culminating in sexual intercourse, all during designated counseling times.
The lawsuit heavily referenced a series of incriminating emails from Politte to Karase, where he acknowledged his actions and their damaging impact on her, stating this behavior “will haunt me the rest of my life.” Following these revelations, Politte’s counseling license was suspended for three years beginning in October 2021, a decision that came to light after the lawsuit was filed in late December 2020.
Requests for comments from the defendant’s attorneys have been met with silence, leaving many questions unanswered about his previous life in law enforcement. The records showed Politte had a diverse background in the police force, serving roles from narcotics detective to evidence technician, which did not directly correlate to his later career as a counselor.
The verdict is seen by many as a significant acknowledgment of the serious breaches of trust and professional ethics expected of counselors. It also highlights the traumatic consequences of such betrayals, especially in sensitive therapist-client relationships.
Legal and psychological experts say the case could serve as a cautionary tale for therapy professionals and underscore the importance of maintaining boundaries in client relationships. The significant financial penalty associated with the jury’s decision emphasizes society’s growing intolerance for abuse of power in professions entrusted with individuals’ mental and emotional care.
As for the victim, the awarded damages are a formal recognition of the severe impact this ordeal has had on her life, providing some measure of redress while underscoring the need for vigilant enforcement of ethical standards in the counseling profession.