Therapists Who Have Sex With Their Patients

by Herbert S. Strean

First published in 1994. Therapists who use and abuse their power make for high talk show ratings and tabloid sales, but are these people simply to be written off as sick and evil? Dr. Herbert Strean believes not. In this unflinchingly honest book, Dr. Strean-who has treated such abusive caregivers many times in his practice-seeks to create a more humane portrait of therapists who have affairs with their patients. Central to the book are four fascinating case studies of Ronald S. is a heterosexual psychiatrist with homosexual fantasies who wants to be a woman with his own male therapist; Roslyn M. is a therapist who administers love treatment in the therapy room and charges for it; Bob W. is a promiscuous sex addict who thinks, despite his physical unattractiveness, that all his women patients hunger for him; Al G. is a sadomasochistic social worker who makes his female ex-patients suffer. These cases give voice to the feelings, fantasies, and dreams of therapists who have crossed the boundary. Through them, we come to understand that it is treatment, not punishment, that will prevent others from falling prey to healers who are them­selves in desperate need of healing.

Paperback

First published September 1, 1993

Reviews

[Kasandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the author's emphasis on understanding the sexual nature of transference/counter-transference and the content of sexual fantasties rather than acting on them. A bit dated, and it's handling of the feminist analysis of sexual harassment was a bit clumsy, but still an important book. I would encourage all aspiring therapists and direct service providers to read this text.