A SURVEY OF CLIENT THERAPIST SEXUAL INVOLVEMENT IN RHODE-ISLAND AS REPORTED BY SUBSEQUENT TREATING THERAPISTS

In this study, the authors surveyed all licensed mental health profess ionals in the state of Rhode Island and asked them if they had treated clients who had been sexually abused by a former therapist. Twenty-si x percent of the respondents reported having treated victims of therap ist sexual abuse. In addition, the treating therapists reported 120 in cidents of other boundary violations. These data point to a dramatic d ifference between the actual occurrence of therapy boundary violations and the reporting of violations to state licensing boards. The nature of the violations that do occur and the impact on patient victims are also discussed.