The aftermath of therapist-client sex: Exploited women struggle with the consequences

This study explores the ongoing experience of women who were sexually involved with their psychotherapists (therapist-client sex, TCS). Fourteen women who had been engaged in TCS were interviewed to examine the constructed meanings associated with their experiences. Respondents described themselves as having been problem-saturated, lonely, and victimized by pre-TCS sexual abuse. Many respondents resolved their TCS betrayal in subsequent therapy. For most interviewees, a significant step towards confronting their painful TCS experience was their initiated agreement to partake in this study. Our data suggest that participants went through a significant personal transformation process that encompassed four main themes: self-perception; interpersonal relationships; the dilemma of filing a lawsuit; and their motivation to participate in this study.