The use and abuse of touch in therapy and counselling

Hetherington, Angela

doi:10.1080/09515079808254067

Cited by 11 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…Traditionally, sex and status determine who may touch whom and where, with women being touched far more frequently than men (Alyn, 1988). In addition, it is more common for higher status individuals to touch lower status individuals, with the reverse rarely occurring (Hetherington, 1998). Some authors have suggested that this dynamic has led to a disproportionate amount of touching of women as compared with the touching of men and replicates the prevailing distribution of power in society, wherein women are often sexualized and devalued and thus disempowered (Alyn, 1988; Hetherington, 1998).…”

Section: Considerations Related To the Use Of Touchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…T he use of touch has a lengthy history in healing efforts and has long been associated with healing in most cultures (Goodman & Teicher, 1988; Horton, Clance, Sterk‐Elifson, & Emshoff, 1995). Touch is considered to be a natural means of human contact and is one of the major forms of communication between individuals (Hetherington, 1998; Kertay & Reviere, 1993). Not only does physical contact have unique social and cultural meanings, but it is considered to be essential to healthy human development and effective interpersonal communication (Stenzel & Rupert, 2004).…”

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confidence: 99%

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The Use of Touch in Counseling: An Ethical Decision‐Making Model

Calmes

Piazza

Laux

2013

Counseling and Values

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Although some counselors have advocated for the limited use of touch in counseling, others have argued that touch has no place within the counseling relationship. Despite the controversy, the use of touch has been shown to have a number of therapeutic benefits; however, there are few ethical decision-making models that are appropriate for considering the use of touch in counseling. The authors discuss the controversy surrounding the use of touch and the benefits/contraindications of touch. The 5 ethical principles of counseling are also examined; a new ordering of the principles is presented as a useful ethical decision-making model when considering the use of touch in counseling.

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Section: Considerations Related To the Use Of Touchmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of Touch in Counseling: An Ethical Decision‐Making Model

Calmes

Piazza

Laux

2013

Counseling and Values

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“…For instance, counselors know that sexual intimacy with clients will more than likely harm the client (Pope, 1988). However, the use of nonerotic touch and its beneficial or potentially harmful effects are not as clear (Heatherington, 1998). The issue of justness as it relates to ethical practice by counselors is well informed by the LL quadrant, because, we believe, it has been historically privileged by counselor practitioners in the field and by counselor educators in institutional settings.…”

Section: Ll Quadrant: Ethics and Justnessmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Integral Approach to Counseling Ethics

Foster

Black

2007

Counseling and Values

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The authors offer an integral approach to counseling ethics using K. Wilber's (2000aWilber's ( , 2000b integral metatheory. The article examines traditional counseling ethics through the lens of K. Wilber's (2000aWilber's ( , 2000b) "all-quadrants, all-levels" model, consisting of quadrants, levels, lines, states, and types. The authors begin with the 4 quadrants and how they can inform understanding of traditional counseling ethics. Vertical development in relation to counseling ethics is addressed, followed by a case study of an ethical dilemma in counseling. The authors offer an integrally informed process of ethical decision making that can be seen to complement less comprehensive ethical decision-making models.T here are few areas in the practice of counseling that require more tolerance for ambiguity than ethical practice and decision making. Corey, Corey, and Callanan (2003) stated that, when it comes to ethics, one must avoid the trap of dispensing simple prescriptions for complex problems. Integral theory is an excellent map that can be applied to ethical practice in counseling to help counselors honor the complexity of ethical decisions and avoid oversimplification of complex issues. Integral theory helps counselors approach a more complete understanding of ethics by viewing multiple "truths" or perspectives as complementary. This in turn increases counselors' ability to make informed ethical decisions. The study and practice of ethical counseling contains a dichotomy in that clearly articulated ethical principles and codes of conduct exist alongside a marked lack of guidance on how to apply the principles and codes in many real-life counseling situations. In this article, we outline what the four quadrants or perspectives of integral theory imply for counselor ethics, we discuss the role of development and supervision, and we offer a brief case example.In some ways, the idea of integral ethics is somewhat of an oxymoron. Wilber (1998) has discussed ethics and morals in the context of the lower left (LL) quadrant or the "We" space of cultural understanding and intersubjectivity. However, in order for ethics to be more integral in nature, we must expand our conceptualization of ethical practice in counseling and attend to the remaining three quadrants of "I," "It," and "Its." We would like to suggest that, on the whole, current counseling ethics is less than integral and that an integral approach to counseling ethics must expand its scope of practice to include and incorporate the four quadrants in Wilber's (2000aWilber's ( , 2000b model.

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“…The exploitative therapist may attempt to decrease boundaries in an attempt to break down client resistance (Hetherington 1998(Hetherington , 2000. This may be in a variety of forms, such as seeking their advice on personal matters or meeting them socially (Keith-Spiegel & Koocher 1985;Brodsky 1989).…”

Section: The Profile and Motivations Of Therapists Who Abusementioning

confidence: 99%

A Psychodynamic Profile of Therapists Who Sexually Exploit Their Clients

Hetherington¹

2000

Brit J Psychotherapy

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This paper reviews recent literature pertaining to therapists who sexually exploit their clients. It examines some of the common characteristics that have been identified in therapists who abuse, and the psychosexual factors in their background. It goes on to discuss the dynamics which may prevail in the event of therapist abuse. Research suggests that therapists who exploit their role will only do so if they are in some way dysfunctional (Russell 1993). Similarly, therapists who abuse are found to have severe problems with their own sexual identities and experience a considerable amount of sexual anxiety and guilt in their personal relationships (Strean 1993b). It is suggested that their own unresolved conflicts take precedence over those of their clients and unconsciously they harbour a deep antipathy towards the practice of psychotherapy (Strean 1993a).

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The use and abuse of touch in therapy and counselling

Cited by 11 publications

References 12 publications

The Use of Touch in Counseling: An Ethical Decision‐Making Model

The Use of Touch in Counseling: An Ethical Decision‐Making Model

An Integral Approach to Counseling Ethics

A Psychodynamic Profile of Therapists Who Sexually Exploit Their Clients

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