Therapists' Sexual Feelings and Fantasies

In this comprehensive review, the authors approach a complex and emotionally challenging topic with wisdom and clarity. This book is filled with useful prompts for self-reflection that should be required reading for all therapists, as well as detailed practical advice for those doing forensic evaluations and expert testimony. A text for all mental health practitioners. -- Judith L. Herman, MD, Senior Lecturer in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, United States
Dr. Pope and colleagues have produced a brave and searching work on an issue of critical importance to mental health professionals in every specialty area. It has long been a fantasy of my own that someone would write a book like this—one catering so directly to the needs of forensic practitioners as well as others. All readers will appreciate this book’s wealth of appended practical resources. -- Eric Y. Drogin, JD, PhD, ABPP, Forensic, Harvard Medical School Former President, Cambridge, MA, United States; American Board of Forensic Psychology Former Chair, American Psychological Association Committee on Professional Practice and Standards
What a book! This brave and highly accessible work humanizes therapists’ sexual feelings and fantasies in the context of culture, research, and the standard of care. Therapists and expert witnesses will find this meticulously researched book indispensable. I am delighted to have this groundbreaking resource for my clinical and forensic practice, supervision, and teaching. -- Julie Goldenson, PhD, Clinical and Forensic Psychologist, Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Psychology and Human Development, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
Pope, Chavez-Dueñas, and Adames have done it again! These authors consistently set the bar for foundational texts that train psychologists and mental health providers. Their previous books on ethics and taboo topics in therapy are groundbreaking, helping us understand complex issues and develop ethically humane and socially just practices. Their latest volume, Therapists’ Sexual Feelings and Fantasies, is a unique and indispensable resource that explores aspects often neglected in other works, such as power dynamics, gender, race, and sexual orientation. The authors masterfully contextualize the ethical and legal issues surrounding therapist–client sexual interactions. I appreciate the accessible language, real-life examples, and helpful resources typical of their work. This book is simply terrific. It is a foundational and innovative text that sets a new standard in the field and is a must-read for practitioners of any theoretical orientation. -- Helen A. Neville, PhD, Professor, Educational Psychology and African American Studies 2024 President, Society of Counseling Psychology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, United States
Therapists’ Sexual Feelings and Fantasies addresses the challenging topic of therapists’ sexual feelings about people with whom they work. It offers a much-needed, contemporary, expansive perspective. It provides a positive, normalizing, and realistic consideration of sexual feelings, including vulnerabilities. This extraordinary contribution gives readers a remarkable set of resources and tools to help deal with clinical and forensic work in this area. The authors, who are ethicists, provide rich, thought-provoking questions. This book is a superb treasure beneficial for all practitioners. I give it my highest recommendation. -- Melba J. T. Vasquez, PhD, ABPP, independent practice, Austin, TX, United States; Former President, American Psychological Association
This book goes beyond what we all learn about boundary violations, emphasizing the personal skill and professional competence that is required to embrace and manage our natural but conflictual sexual feelings in relating to our patients. The authors promote systematic personal reflection throughout the book and delineate potential vulnerabilities to problematic relationships. The one book every therapist should read. -- Jon G. Allen, PhD, Clinical Professor, Voluntary Faculty, Menninger Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
In this courageous book, the authors provide nuanced and informed discussion and resources to help therapists and forensic evaluators wade through the maelstrom of romantic and sexual feelings. They discuss the deplorable intellectual history of therapist–patient sexual involvement, and the ongoing vulnerabilities of contemporary therapists. They provide honest acknowledgment of intense therapist reactions, while describing steps to avoid the sexual and/or emotional abuse of patients. They also cover forensic issues in cases of suspected therapist–patient sex, provide evolving resources for informed consent, the review of treatment plans, and other practical matters that will help make psychotherapy a healthier arena for therapists and patients alike. -- Etzel Cardeña, PhD, Thorsen Professor in Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
This book addresses one of the key neglected issues in practicing ethically and effectively. Its combination of experience, a willingness to approach very sensitive topics, and practical guidelines should be required reading for all psychotherapists in training. In fact, there are few psychotherapists, however long they have practiced and whatever their theoretical persuasion, who will not benefit from studying the advice and resources it contains. -- Chris R. Brewin, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Clinical Psychology, University College London, United Kingdom