SEXUAL AND BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THERAPISTS AND FORMER CLIENTS

Among a sample of therapists who had been delivering psychotherapy ser vices for an average of fourteen years, it was found that 6.5% engaged in sexual relationships and 29% engaged in business relationships wit h their former clients. Demographic characteristics were compared for those therapists who did and did not engage in these two types of rela tionships. Professional judgments regarding the appropriateness of suc h relationships over time were also obtained. The consistency between these findings and the current Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct relative to dual relationships is discussed.