Therapist-patient sexual contact: a non consensual, inherently harmful activity

Therapist-patient sexual contact is unethical, whether it is the patient or the therapist who attempts to sexualize the therapeutic relationship. Therapist-patient sexual contact is non consensual; patients cannot provide a morally valid consent to sexual relations with their therapist because the key elements of a morally valid consent--intentionality, substantial understanding, substantial voluntariness and autonomous authorization--cannot be met. As well, therapist-patient sexual contact harms patients, patients' families, and the profession. The most significant harm caused is experienced by the patients, the majority of whom are women.