The Dissolution of the Dyad in Psychiatry: Implications for the Understanding of Patient-Therapist Sexual Misconduct

The evolution of psychiatry has included a reduction in the conceptualization the doctor-patient relationship as a therapeutic dyad, a concept in which therapist and patient are seen as two dynamically interactive parties. In addition, there has been a gradual reduction in the theoretical importance of sexual drives a source of motivation in normality and psychopathology. These changes and ramifications have made it difficult to explore explanations of sexual misconduct by a therapist through the analysis of what may he viewed as a profoundly failed treatment alliance.