Standing Strong by Fiona McCallum Page A

Psychological Society Code of Ethics, item C.4.3 – sexual activity with a client.
    It has been reported by a concerned member of the public, who wishes to remain anonymous, that you have engaged in sexual activity with a client named Mr Damien McAllister.
    Before proceeding with further investigation, the board requires your response to this serious allegation in writing, postmarked no later than fourteen (14) days from the date of this letter.
    Regards,
    Dr Alastair Douglas
    President
    Oh shit. Shit, shit, shit ! The words swam before her eyes and she couldn’t get her brain to formulate anything coherent.
    When there was a tap on the open door, she plastered a smile on her face and looked up, ready to welcome Mrs Smith in and get on with her job. But it wasn’t Mrs Smith.
    â€˜You must be waiting for a client – since your door is open,’ Ethel said, looking like she was about to back away.
    Jacqueline leapt up. ‘No, don’t go.’
    â€˜Is there something wrong? Only, you look a little pale,’ Ethel said, stepping into the room. ‘Have you had some bad news?’ she said, pointing to the letter.
    Jacqueline nodded and swallowed. ‘Oh, Ethel,’ she said, putting her head in her hands and slumping back down into her chair. ‘Thank God you’re here.’
    â€˜Whatever is the matter?’ Ethel moved a step inside.
    â€˜Come in. Please. And can you close the door?’
    â€˜But what about your next patient?’
    â€˜Most likely a no-show – if she was coming she’d be here by now.’
    â€˜So what is it that has you so rattled?’ Ethel said, sitting in one of the chairs in front of Jacqueline’s desk.
    Jacqueline silently turned the letter around so Ethel could read it. It seemed to her to take an age for Ethel to get her glasses out of her handbag, put them on, pick up the paper, start reading, and then for her mouth to fall open, for her to take her glasses off again, fold them up, and look up at Jacqueline with concern etched across her face.
    â€˜Oh dear.’
    â€˜Yes.’
    â€˜So, what are you going to do?’
    â€˜What I was going to do a week or so ago – hand in my resignation and suffer the consequences.’
    â€˜You’re not going to fight it?’
    â€˜What’s there to fight? I’ve been through this with you,’ Jacqueline said wearily. ‘I’ve done the wrong thing.’
    â€˜Now, dear, tell me if I’m completely out of line here, but have you actually had, quote, “sexual activity” with Damien? It’s just …’
    â€˜Ethel!’ Jacqueline said, aghast.
    â€˜I know it’s a very delicate subject, but if this goes anywhere,’ she said, pointing to the letter, ‘it’ll be out anyway.’
    â€˜Which is why I’m just going to resign. Plead guilty. But to answer your question, and there’s no way to put this delicately, no, Damien and I have not had a sexual relationship. We didn’t get a chance. We weren’t going to do that on your couch or when my parents, or you, were in the next room,’ she said, blushing furiously.
    â€˜It’s as I suspected. So there it is.’
    â€˜Sorry?’
    â€˜Your defence.’
    â€˜Ethel, I have no defence,’ Jacqueline said with a sigh. ‘It’s all about crossing the line. An emotional relationship or a physical one – regardless of actually having, er, intercourse – would still be considered wrong, a violation. It’s all about protecting the client, who is considered vulnerable – hence them seeing a psychologist – and messing further with their already fragile state of mind.’
    â€˜But it says here in black and white: “sexual activity”. Therefore, the way I see it, that’s the only charge you need to answer. And in this case, you are not guilty. It is not asking you if you’ve had an emotional relationship, a