Table of Contents
Can my therapist be attracted to me?
It’s not uncommon for therapists to have feelings for clients, and vice versa—call it transference, countertransference, or something else. But we have to remember that it’s the therapist’s job to meet the client’s therapeutic needs and goals, not the therapist’s own personal or professional wants and needs.
Can a therapist ever date a client?
Having sex with a current patient or even a recently discharged patient is not only unethical—it is illegal. The American Psychological Association Code of Ethics, Section 10.05, states that psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with current therapy clients/patients.
Is it unethical for a therapist to date a patient?
Sexual contact of any kind between a therapist and a client is unethical and illegal in the State of California. It is always the responsibility of the therapist to ensure that sexual contact with a client, whether consensual or not, does not occur.
How common is it for a therapist to be attracted to clients?
The stats say that it’s fairly common in that over 80\% of therapists say that they’ve experienced attraction towards their clients on at least one occasion. However, whether they act on it is another matter. Most wont act on it fortunately.
Can I talk to my therapist about my attraction to her?
When a person in therapy is attracted to their therapist, this can often be discussed in therapy without harm—as long as the therapist is not excessively affected by attraction or countertransference.
How common is it for a therapist to fall in love?
The stats say that it’s fairly common in that over 80\% of therapists say that they’ve experienced attraction towards their clients on at least one occasion. However, whether they act on it is another matter. Most wont act on it fortunately. I had the experience of falling in love with my therapist,…
Can a therapist talk about sexual issues with a client?
The therapist must be able to focus on the sexual issues of the person in therapy only to the extent such discussion is based on their therapeutic process. It is also essential to establish and uphold boundaries, including an explicit agreement that there is no possibility of sexual relationship at the time or in the future.