Ethics of Attraction by Bethany Suppes, PhD, LMFT (2021 Spring Ethics & Integrity Series)

4/9/21 Ethics of Attraction by Bethany Suppes, PhD, LMFT - Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy & Clinical Director Whitworth University

This presentation focuses on the human experience of sexual attraction...between a therapist and client.  Today we will identify therapeutic legal standards associated with sex; personal integrity considerations of the therapist; early behavioral indicators of attraction, either toward or from a client; and explore the therapist's ethical options of how to deal with this. The question isn't if it happens, but when.  Learning objectives:

1. Specify the legal ethical codes related to sexual contact with clients
2. Explore personal definitions of integrity related to sexual attraction in a professional setting
3. Identify possible behavioral indicators of sexual interest in or from a client
4. Pinpoint the course of action therapists may choose to take in the event of attraction