Erotic Countertransference and Clinical Social Work Practice: A National Survey of Psychotherapists' Sexual Feelings, Attitudes, and Responses

Abstract

Male and female social work psychotherapists were surveyed on sexual feelings toward clients, sexual behavior with clients, and utilization of erotic countertransference. Relationships between these variables and therapists' self-reports of training in erotic counter-transference, utilization of supervisory consultation, length of clinical experience, and theoretical orientation were also examined. Male therapists were significantly more likely than females to report sexual attraction toward clients, and to report using erotic countertransference to further treatment goals. The frequency of therapists' discussion of sexual feelings toward clients in supervision was related to the reported frequency of utilization of sexual feelings in treatment. The majority of therapists reported that their social work training did not prepare them adequately to work with erotic countertransference.