What term is used for sexual contact between a psychotherapist and their patient?

The term that accurately describes sexual contact between a psychotherapist and their patient is sexual misconduct. This term encompasses a range of inappropriate behaviors that violate the ethical and professional boundaries established in the therapeutic relationship.

In the context of a therapeutic setting, any sexual contact or inappropriate relationship between a psychotherapist and a patient is considered a serious violation of ethical standards and legal statutes. This includes behaviors that exploit the patient's vulnerability due to the inherent power imbalance in the therapist-client dynamic. Sexual misconduct is broadly defined and can include both consensual and non-consensual actions, leading to significant repercussions for the therapist, including loss of licensure and legal action.

The other terms, while they address issues related to inappropriate sexual behavior, do not specifically capture the nuances of the therapist-client relationship as fully as sexual misconduct does. For instance, sexual harassment generally refers to unwanted sexual advances and behaviors in various contexts but is not exclusively tied to the therapeutic relationship. Sexual assault is a criminal act that refers specifically to non-consensual sexual contact, which is a narrower definition. Sexual manipulation could imply the use of psychological tactics to achieve sexual outcomes but doesn't encapsulate the professional and ethical violations inherent in this scenario within therapy.