Sexual Boundary Violations in Psychotherapy: Facing Therapist Indiscretions, Transgressions, and Misconduct

Arlene (Lu) Steinberg, PsyD, is an adjunct associate professor at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, where she supervises clinical psychology graduate students and teaches psychological counseling to rabbinic students, and is a practicing psychoanalyst in New York City. She is author of several articles and chapters on trauma. She recently co-edited the special issue of Psychoanalytic Psychology (2017) on sexual boundary violations with Dr. Alpert. She is past Treasurer of Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) of the American Psychological Association (APA). She is currently serving a 3-year term as Division 39 representative on the APA Council of Representatives.

Judith L. Alpert, PhD, is Professor of Applied Psychology at New York University and Faculty and Clinical Consultant at the NYU Postdoctoral Program in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis. She has edited six books and numerous journal articles on trauma and women’s issues. She co-edited the special issue of Psychoanalytic Psychology (2017) on sexual boundary violations with Dr. Steinberg and practices psychotherapy in New York City. She was the first president and a founding member of Division 56 (Trauma Psychology) of the American Psychological Association (APA). Dr. Alpert is the recipient of the Award for Scholarship from Division 39 (Psychoanalysis) of APA.

Christine A. Courtois, PhD, ABPP, a board-certified counseling psychologist retired from clinical practice in Washington, D.C., has been an adjunct professor of psychology and social work at several universities and is now an independent consultant/trainer/author on topics of trauma psychology and treatment. She has authored, co-authored, and co-edited a dozen professional books on the dynamics and treatment of child sexual abuse, complex trauma, and PTSD. Dr. Courtois is past president of Division 56 (Trauma Psychology) of the American Psychological Association and founding Associate Editor of the division’s journal, Psychological Trauma. She has received numerous professional awards from several organizations.