Of the 585 psychologists who responded, 87% (95% of the men and 76% of the women) reported having been sexually attracted to their clients, at least on occasion. Sixty-three percent felt guilty, anxious or confused about the attraction, and about half of the respondents received no guidance or training on this issue.

Can a psychologist have a relationship with a patient?

The American Psychological Association Code of Ethics, Section 10.05, states that psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with current therapy clients/patients. In most all states, laws prohibiting sex with clients are limited to current or recent clients.

What do therapists think when clients cry?

From the perspective of the therapists we surveyed, therapists felt that their tears had some important positive impacts on their clients—82% believed therapist crying led to the client feeling that the therapist genuinely cares about him/her, 72% that the client would feel the relationship was more authentic, and 61%