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Boundaries for psychotherapists

Porterbrook Clinic, 75 Osborne Road, Nether Edge, Sheffield S11 9BF, email: mail{at}porterbrookclinic.org.uk

The recent articles on the Kerr/Haslam Inquiry (Psychiatric Bulletin, June 2006, 30, 204–206, 207–209) raise important issues. The experience of sexual feelings during psychotherapy and the potentially abusive nature of dual relationships are described in the literature (Pope et al, 1993; Syme, 2003). Breach of boundaries by doctors and therapists working in the field of human sexuality is relatively rare, with 98.7% of 814 UK clinicians responding to a survey having rarely or never been tempted to have sexual relations with a client (with no difference between physicians and non-physicians and no clear gender bias) (Wylie & Oakley, 2005).

Sexual and relationship psychotherapists, as members of the British Association for Sexual and Relationship Therapy, adhere to a clear code of ethics and practice, which should be openly disclosed and available to all patients under the clinicians’ care. Integrative care involving physical and psychological therapies requires clear protocols and patient guidance, including overt statements with regard to chaperone policy (Carr, 2003).

References

CARR, S.V. (2003) The intimate examination: time for a name change. Journal of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Care, 29, 156 –159.[CrossRef][Medline]

POPE, K. S., SONNE, J. L. & HOLROYD, J. (1993) Sexual Feelings in Psychotherapy. New York: American Psychiatric Association.

SYME, G. (2003) Dual Relationships in Counselling and Psychotherapy. London: Sage.

WYLIE, K. R. & OAKLEY, K. (2005) Sexual boundaries in the relationship between clients and clinicians practising sexology in the UK. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 20, 453 –456.

This Article Full Text (PDF) Submit an eLetter Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Wylie, K. R. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Wylie, K. R.