To sexualize a therapeutic relationship (regardless of whether the therapist or the client initiates it) detracts from the goals of that role. Experience shows that this type of relationship frequently causes harm to the client; therefore, the penalty for this kind of behaviour is severe. A therapist will often be forced to forfeit his or her license.
Moderate Risk
"Moderate Risk" dual relationship scenarios cover behaviours that are not expressly prohibited by law but are usually strongly discouraged in professionally codes of ethics, guidelines practice, and/or official policy statements of regulating bodies.
Specific examples in this category would be forming friendships with clients; treating relatives or friends or their relatives or friends; or combining the role of teacher and therapist.
Low Risk
In the third category, "Low Risk", we find behaviours where the potential for harm to the client is judged as less than the two previously discussed categories.
Specific examples of "Low Risk" relationships are bartering for services, accepting a gratuity, and socializing with clients outside of therapy. The risk here is usually low. In terms of legal and ethical standards, behaviour in this category is discouraged. However, such behaviour would not usually attract serious consequences such as probationary status or loss of license. We need to keep in mind that such consequences are not the only potential risk to the therapist. Equine Massage therapists who merge the therapeutic role with another role may subject themselves to social, political and psychological pitfalls.
Socially, for example, if the merging of roles harms a client, it could result in social and professional ostracism and a tarnished reputation.
Psychologically, the therapist risks feeling guilty about harming a client and remorseful for having made a "bad" decision, not to mention loss of self-esteem and self-respect.
These extra-legal but very human consequences are not restricted to this category but are applicable to all four.
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