[The abstinence rule in psychotherapy with children and adolescents]

The rule of abstinence, introduced by Sigmund Freud, prohibits sexual relations between psychotherapist and patient. Lately however, US researchers have pointed out, that this taboo has been broken in some cases. It has been discussed, if sexual intercourse during psychotherapy between (well-understood) adult patients and therapist could be helpful and therefore permitted. In a court-proceeding, we had to take position, whether sexual actions between the therapist and a juvenile person could be justified. After studying the pertinent literature, we had to deny this question, and we concluded, that such a behaviour is to be qualified as malpractice.