Reconsidering the American Psychological Association's policy on sex with former patients: is it justifiable?
This article invites reconsideration of the American Psychological Association's policy permitting sexual involvement between therapists and their former patients under certain conditions. The article (a) restates 5 major concerns about sex after termination that have not been adequately addressed; (b) examines 9 major arguments set forth in support of allowing posttermination sexual relationships, all of which appear ill-founded, fallacious, or misleading; and (c) describes 6 obstacles that seem to hinder attempts to create sound legal and professional policies in this area.
Gabbard
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The Menninger Clinic, P.O. Box 829, Topeka, Kansas 66601-0829, USA.
D032781:Codes of Ethics; D004995:Ethics, Professional; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008149:Love; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011209:Power, Psychological; D028743:Professional Misconduct; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D011584:Psychology / Q000592:standards*; D011613:Psychotherapy / Q000592:standards*; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D012952:Societies; D013997:Time Factors; D014167:Transference, Psychology
American Psychological Association; Bioethics and Professional Ethics