Sexual Intimacy with a Client
What does the APA say about sexual intimacy with a client? What about having a relationship with a former client? What should one do if they become aware of any level of sexual feelings towards their client? Thank you for any help that you can offer to me?
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(1) What does the APA say about sexual intimacy with a client?
The American Psychological Association (APA) sets forth four enforceable standards addressing ethical behavior relative to sexual intimacy. A large part of Standard 10 focuses on the sexual intimacies with clients in therapy and is paraphrased here:
10.5—Sexual Intimacies with Current Therapy/clients/Patients.
Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with current therapy clients/patients, or with relatives or significant others of current Therapy clients/Patients.
10.6--Sexual Intimacies with Relatives or significant Other of Current Therapy clients/Patients.
Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with individuals they know to be close relatives, guardians, or significant others of current clients/patients; Psychologists do not terminate therapy to circumvent this standard.
10.07 Therapy With former sexual Partners Psychologists do not accept as therapy clients/patients persons with whom they have engaged in sexual intimacies (apa.org).
(2) What about having a relationship with a former client?
10.08-- Sexual intimacies with former Therapy /clients/Patients
(a) Psychologists do not engage in ...
Solution Summary
This solution discusses ethical codes related to sexual intimacy with a client.