If a wellness professional chooses to engage in a sexual relationship with a previous client from years back, the wellness professional?

The perspective provided suggests that as long as the relationship is consensual, the wellness professional is acting ethically. However, the nuances of professional boundaries and ethics in health and wellness professions extend beyond the mere aspect of consent.

Engaging in a relationship with a former client carries significant ethical considerations, particularly regarding power dynamics and the potential for exploitation. Even if the client is no longer directly receiving professional services, the wellness professional must navigate the inherent trust and influence established during their prior professional relationship. Therefore, the wellness professional bears the burden of demonstrating that there is no exploitation involved. This means they need to show that the previous professional relationship does not unduly influence the current personal relationship.

This understanding underscores the importance of maintaining boundaries and ensuring that professional relationships are not only based on mutual consent but also on ethical guidelines that protect both parties’ interests.