The aftermath of therapist–client sex: exploited women struggle with the consequences

This study explores the ongoing experience of women who were sexually involved with their psychotherapists (therapist–client sex, TCS). Fourteen women who had been engaged in TCS were interviewed to examine the constructed meanings associated with their experiences. Respondents described themselves as having been problem‐saturated, lonely, and victimized by pre‐TCS sexual abuse. Many respondents resolved their TCS betrayal in subsequent therapy. For most interviewees, a significant step towards confronting their painful TCS experience was their initiated agreement to partake in this study. Our data suggest that participants went through a significant personal transformation process that encompassed four main themes: self‐perception; interpersonal relationships; the dilemma of filing a lawsuit; and their motivation to participate in this study.