(394) Sex Therapy is Not Sex Work: Examining the Clinical and Stigmatic Implications of Using ‘Patient’ Over ‘Client.’

Introduction Sex therapy remains a widely misunderstood field, often conflated with sex work due to persistent cultural stereotypes and misconceptions. The absence of clear professional language reinforces these misunderstandings, diminishing the perceived legitimacy of sex therapy as a clinical practice. Precise terminology is therefore essential, not only for professional credibility but also for reducing stigma and supporting greater access to care. Objective Research indicates that members of the public often hold misconceptions about sex therapy, including the belief that it involves sexual activity or physical contact and that sex therapists themselves are “overly sensual” figures rather than trained clinicians [1]. These misperceptions contribute to stigma and undermine the legitimacy of the field. This study aims to examine how the use of language-specifically the designation of individuals as “patients” rather than “clients”-can reinforce the clinical identity of sex therapy, enhance its professional credibility, and reduce the stigma associated with the practice. Methods A literature review was conducted examining empirical studies across sexual health, psychosexual therapy, and related healthcare contexts (e.g., mental health, antenatal care, gynecology, prostate health, and HIV/AIDS treatment). Each study was reviewed for terminology preference between “patient” and “client,” considering both clinician usage and service-user preference. Studies most directly relevant to sex therapy and sexual health were given analytic priority. Results Findings demonstrated a consistent preference for the term “patient.” Of 33 studies identified, 27 reported “patient” as the preferred designation, while only six favored “client.” When restricting the scope to sexual health–related studies, 19 of 21 indicated a preference for “patient.” Notably, only three studies reported “client” as the preferred label among service users, and in one of these [2], participants reversed their position to prefer “patient” after being presented with clear definitions of the two terms. Conclusions The findings indicate that although most sex therapists continue to use the term “client,” the majority of service users prefer “patient.” This discrepancy is significant, as “client” carries commercial connotations that blur professional boundaries and inadvertently reinforce common misconceptions that equate sex therapy with transactional or non-clinical practices. By using “client,” therapists not only overlook the expressed preferences of those they serve but may also perpetuate stigma that discourages individuals from seeking treatment. In contrast, adopting the term “patient” both affirms the clinical identity of sex therapy and strengthens its legitimacy as a healthcare practice, thereby reducing barriers to care. REFERENCES: [1] Sever, Z., & Vowels, L. M. (2023). Beliefs and attitudes held toward sex therapy and sex therapists. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 52(5), 1729–1741. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-023-02532-7 [2] Thalitaya MD, Prasher VP, Khan F, Boer H. What's in a name? - The Psychiatric Identity Conundrum. Psychiatr Danub. 2011 Sep;23 Suppl 1:S178-81. PMID: 21894131. [3] Costa DSJ, Mercieca-Bebber R, Tesson S, Seidler Z, Lopez AL. Patient, client, consumer, survivor or other alternatives? A scoping review of preferred terms for labelling individuals who access healthcare across settings. BMJ Open. 2019 Mar 7;9(3):e025166. doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2018-025166. PMID: 30850410; PMCID: PMC6429876. Disclosure No