when considering a romantic relationship with a former client, use professional judgement and proceed with caution. the therapeutic relationship has to be clearly documented and ended beyond all doubt for the minimum period of one year before a romantic or sexual relationship can begin.
How long must a therapist wait to date a client?
(a) Psychologists do not engage in sexual intimacies with former clients/patients for at least two years after cessation or termination of therapy.
Is it OK to date a client?
Sure, date a client. Its very unprofessional to date a client. I dont think the type of conversations that would lead to dating should come up in a professional environment. However, if youve been dating someone for a while, then it may be OK to turn them into a client!
It says that dating former patients will be unacceptable unless contact with them was minimal. Cases must be judged on their merits, but obtaining the consent of a former patient to sex would not excuse a healthcare worker from a charge of abuse and exploitation.