Therapists' Sexual Feelings and Fantasies: Research, Practice, Ethics, and Forensics

The psychotherapy profession has always struggled to deal openly with therapists' sexual feelings. Between the often unavoidable fact of sexual attraction, and the potential crossing of boundaries and sexual relationships with clients, there exists a wide range of assumptions, beliefs, feelings, and daydreams that often are suppressed and unspoken--sometimes with devastating consequences.

This candid, practical book addresses three distinct areas related to therapists' sexual feelings: sexual attractions to clients (including sexual fantasies, dreams, and arousal); the violation of sexual boundaries with clients (including consensual therapist-patient sexual involvement); and forensic issues, including therapists who testify in cases where therapist-patient sex is at issue. The authors offer an extensive review of widespread and changing approaches to this topic in the history of psychotherapy, alongside a comprehensive look at current standards and research findings. They also provide important information for fact and expert witnesses, examining the evolving ethical and legal standards surrounding sexual relationships between therapists and clients, and discuss how to respond to clients to report having been sexually involved with a prior therapist. Incisive reflection questions encourage readers to recognize and respond appropriately to their own feelings in the therapy room.