Send us a text In this episode, Kari says she wants to shine light on an uncomfortable but very real issue in the mental health field: sexual harassment toward therapists. She explains that although it’s shockingly common, therapists rarely receive training on how to talk about it, which leaves many clinicians feeling isolated, ashamed, or unsure of how to respond. Kari says she was inspired to record this episode after seeing a TikTok where a therapist blamed herself for being harassed during a video consult. Kari shares a personal story from early in her private practice, describing an “accidental” sexual text a client sent her and how being alone in an office made her feel especially vulnerable. She notes how gender shaped the feedback she received from colleagues—female colleagues naming the inappropriateness, male colleagues minimizing it as “normal guy talk.” Kari says these experiences made her rethink safety, boundaries, and the emotional burden therapists carry. She then outlines three categories of sexualized behavior therapists may encounter: Accidental or clinically meaningful, where transference or attachment wounds may be explored therapeutically.Boundary-pushing, involving repeated flirtation, fantasies, or testing behaviors that require firm limit-setting, documentation, and consultation.Harassment or threatening behavior, such as explicit messages or exposure, where Kari says therapists should respond immediately, end the session, terminate care, and consider legal or safety steps.Kari explains why these situations happen—trauma histories, unmet relational needs, blurred lines in emotional intimacy, telehealth disinhibition, and power dynamics that shift back and forth between client and therapist. She emphasizes the importance of therapist safety plans, supervision, and policies, and says clinicians often minimize their discomfort because they’re trained to put clients first. Kari also discusses the aftermath: the freeze response, the shame spiral, and the subtle trauma therapists carry. She says it’s vital for clinicians to acknowledge these experiences instead of downplaying them. She offers a gentle PSA to the public: therapists are people with bodies, boundaries, and histories, and harassment deeply impacts their ability to help. Kari closes with validation—therapists are not dramatic, not responsible for harassment, and are allowed to feel shaken or angry. Ending therapy in these cases isn’t a failure but an ethical success. She says relief comes from naming what therapists were trained to keep quiet, and she encourages clinicians to seek consultation, talk openly with peers, and reinforce boundaries before issues escalate. Support the show Thanks for listening to Both Sides of the Couch! If something you heard today resonated, share the episode or leave a review, it helps others find the show. Read more at bothsidesofthecouch.substack.com or karirusnakcounseling.com/bothsidesofthecouch Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/karirusnak I currently run off donations only, I pledge to only work with advertisers I can 100% support.
