Sexual feelings and behaviors in the psychotherapy relationship: an ethics perspective

Sexual intimacies with clients are inappropriate behaviors under all circumstances. Yet, psychologists who adhere to rigid rules about boundaries and multiple relationships in an ill-guided effort to avoid such occurrences may find that they actually harm clients by acting in ways that are inconsistent with clients' treatment needs and goals. Boundaries and multiple relationships are discussed and strategies for negotiating them effectively are presented. A thoughtful and deliberative process is described for responding to the inevitable feelings of attraction toward clients that at times arise, and steps for addressing psychotherapists' vulnerabilities are presented. Ethics principles and standards as well as decision-making considerations are presented so that psychologists will be better prepared for addressing these important issues in psychotherapy.