A relationship between childhood sexual abuse and professional sexual misconduct

This article identifies specific factors that place therapists at risk for engaging in sexual activity with clients and provides guidelines to minimiz e the likelihood of such behavior. In a national. randomly drawn sample of 323 mental health practitioners, 3 of 5 men who reported severe childhood s exual abuse and whose psychological symptoms met the criteria for a high de gree of psychological distress reported sexual boundary violations with cli ents. High-risk clinicians should avoid the isolation of private practice, closely monitor their boundaries with clients. obtain ongoing professional supervision, and seek personal psychotherapy to address any remaining abuse -related issues.