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The prevalence of stalking of psychological therapists working in primary care by current or former clients
Author(s) -
Hudson-Allez Glyn
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
counselling and psychotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1746-1405
pISSN - 1473-3145
DOI - 10.1080/14733140212331384917
Subject(s) - stalking , harassment , psychology , personality , population , psychiatry , clinical psychology , medicine , social psychology , environmental health
The prevalence of being a victim of harassment or stalking among the general population of the UK is held to be 11.8 per cent. There has been speculation that the prevalence rate would be higher for psychological therapists, as they could be at risk from their own clients. This study analysed the prevalence of job‐related experiences of harassment or stalking in a postal survey of psychological therapists who worked in primary care. The results showed a prevalence rate of more than twice the national average at 24 per cent. The stalkers, who were equally male or female, fell into three broad categories: those clients who were needy and made early attachments to their therapists; those experiencing erotic transference; and those with personality disorders. The implications of these findings for training and practice are discussed.