SEXUAL AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THERAPISTS AND FORMER CLIENTS

Among a sample of therapists who had been delivering psychotherapy services for an average of fourteen years, it was found that 6.5% engaged in sexual relationships and 29% engaged in business relationships with their former clients. Demographic characteristics were compared for those therapists who did and did not engage in these two types of relationships. Professional judgments regarding the appropriateness of such relationships over time were also obtained. The consistency between these findings and the current Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct relative to dual relationships is discussed.