Sexual Relationships With Clients

Sexual relationships with clients include any boundary violation between counselor and client where sexual relations occur through coercion or active participation by both parties. Managing professional relationship boundaries in a client–therapist relationship is of paramount importance. The goal of any therapy process is to establish a connection between a therapist and client at a professional, yet intimate level to allow honest communications to assist the client in navigating the therapeutic change process. The therapist always holds an ascribed position of power and trust as the expert from whom the client is seeking assistance. Thus, the therapist is given the sole charge of managing the boundaries that comprise this power differential. Unfortunately, a small percentage of therapists take advantage of the intimate nature of the therapeutic ...