The University of Texas Medical Branch Psychology Training Program
has a training mission to promote the personal and professional
development of all trainees. This process of development is fostered by
respect for each trainee as an individual and an atmosphere of openness
and honesty in communication is expected. Our goal is to create an
environment conducive to learning where trainees feel safe and
respected.
The training environment can be an emotionally charged atmosphere
that provides a catalyst for trainee or supervisor to experience a
variety of feelings, including sexual attraction, towards each other.
Trainees in particular are at an early stage of professional collegial
relationships that will go through many evolutionary stages. Each
supervisor, however, provides a model of ethical and professional
behavior and it is incumbent on the training staff to honor the
boundaries of the professional relationships that are formed with the
trainees. There is no such thing as a consensual sexual relationship
between trainee and staff due to the power imbalance and authority the
staff member has over the trainee.
Research has been conducted into the negative effects of sexual
relationships with clients, students and supervisees. Relationships of
this nature impair the supervisor's ability to engage effectively in the
supervision process and to provide objective feedback to the trainee or
to staff colleagues about the supervisee's development. The trainee is
vulnerable and may experience many negative feelings including
exploitation, anger, and confusion. Additionally, this type of
relationship can have a negative impact on the experience of the other
trainees, by isolating one trainee who must carry the burden of a
secret. The sense of group trust in the training program is seriously
diminished as the trainees question the ability of agency staff members
to honor professional boundaries. A dual relationship will also have a
negative impact on the psychology training programs an organization. The
sense of secrecy, the violation on an ethical code, and the need for
administrative action will have a harmful effect on the morale of all
staff members. Clearly dual sexual relationships have a negative impact
on everyone involved. Therefore, as indicated in the APA ethical
guidelines, it is the UTMB Training Program's policy that sexual
relationships between trainees and staff are prohibited.
There is a need to distinguish sexual attraction from sexual acting out.
Supervising staff who feel a sense of attraction to a trainee that may
be interfering with that staff member's sense of objectivity and ability
to provide supervision should consult with another staff member, or the
Training Director. Supervisors are encouraged to discuss any feelings
they have about the trainees. This will provide staff an opportunity to
assess their current needs and the implications of any possible courses
of action.
Trainees who find themselves attracted to supervisors or staff should
talk about their feelings with colleagues, training team members, or the
Training Director to assess their current needs and possible future
behaviors.
If a training team or associated faculty member's behavior crosses the
boundaries of a professional relationship with a trainee, an
administrative review of the situation will be conducted. The staff
member may be subject to removal from the training team or associated
faculty according to the relevant APA ethical guidelines.
Last Updated: 08/12/2013