Incidence of critical events in professional practice: a statewide survey of psychotherapy providers.
The goal was to tabulate the incidences of clients' suicide, attack by a client, and sexual contact with clients in an Alaskan sample of masters and doctoral-level psychotherapy providers (excluding psychiatrists) and to assess which, if any, demographic or professional characteristics were associated with each critical event. Results from 151 respondents (response rate 43.5%) indicated that 42.7% of providers had experienced at least one client's suicide, 28% had been physically attacked by a client, 4% reported having had sexual contact with a then current client, and 6% reported sexual contact with a former client. Areas for research are outlined, specifically the importance of using methods other than surveys and exploring variables other than standard demographic data.
Harris
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AH
Stanford Counseling Institute, School of Education, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. alex.harris@stanford.edu
D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013405:Suicide / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*