Dual relationships in psychotherapy

Ethics Behav. 1991;1(1):21-34. doi: 10.1207/s15327019eb0101_3.

Abstract

A dual relationship in psychotherapy occurs when the therapist engages in another, significantly different relationship with the patient. The two relationships may be concurrent or sequential. For both sexual and nonsexual dual relationships, men are typically the perpetrators and women are typically the victims. This article presents examples of dual relationships, notes the attention that licensing boards and other agencies devote to this topic, reviews the meager research concerning nonsexual dual relationships, and discusses common strategies that promote both sexual and nonsexual dual relationships.

MeSH terms

  • Attitude
  • Codes of Ethics
  • Conflict of Interest
  • Data Collection
  • Economics
  • Employment
  • Ethics, Professional*
  • Female
  • Health Personnel*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations*
  • Men
  • Patients
  • Professional Misconduct*
  • Professional-Patient Relations*
  • Psychology
  • Psychotherapy*
  • Risk
  • Risk Assessment
  • Sexuality
  • Social Control, Informal
  • Social Responsibility
  • Societies
  • Societies, Scientific
  • Women