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.
Baylis
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Department of Bioethics, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario.
D000328:Adult; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D008297:Male; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D028743:Professional Misconduct; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D012725:Sexual Behavior; D035502:Trust