Counseling a escort on gender reassignment?

[Bob Africa]

I just encountered a well reviewed escort who is temporarily based in South Florida. Our session went very smoothly, until he asked my profession. Being a MFCC, he more or less latched on to me once I told him, and wanted me to provide counseling for his proposed SRS.

Could a barter be worked out? This escort's approach is something I have experienced yet.

Open to all feedback, and thank you.

[doya66]

I do not see a way that a counselor could ever take payment "in kind" from a client, at least not in sex, and most other forms of barter could compromise your professional distance. I'm not even sure whether having had sex with him, for pay or otherwise, would allow you to counsel him at all. It is OK to want to help, and OK to offer him help, but you have professional ethics that you have sworn to uphold, and your license is at stake here. Review the rules of what you can & can't do, and then offer the level of support permissible within those rules. It seems to me that referring him to a colleague who can help might be the best option. I'm no expert on the matter, but it feels to me like your relationship might already be too personal for you to be a good counsellor for him. You know the situation better than anyone else, though, so think carefully and make the best choice for everyone involved.

[rvwnsd]

...Being a MFCC, he more or less latched on to me once I told him, and wanted me to provide counseling for his proposed SRS.

Could a barter be worked out? ...

 

I suppose the only person who can answer the question you posed is the escort. That said, if the escort would be willing to barter I would recommend against it, for the reasons provided in post #2. The professional licensing authority in your state probably prohibits therapists from engaging in sexual relations with clients. In fact, my guess would be they prohibit (or at least frown upon) platonic friendships with clients.

 

The next question you might want to ask yourself is "Do I want to be that therapist?"

[Bob Africa]

Let me qualify, this escorts approach is NOTHIG I've experienced before. He has latched on to me, I don't want to be smitten, nor rude.

[escortrod]

Let me qualify, this escorts approach is NOTHIG I've experienced before. He has latched on to me, I don't want to be smitten, nor rude.

Quite aside from the massive ethical issues this could raise, the fact that the escort has 'latched onto' you suggests to me that you're better off out of it.

[Beancounter]

And for those of us who aren't familiar with what an MFCC is it stands for Marriage, Family and Child Counseling counselor. This is a pet peeve of mine! Don't assume everyone knows what the letters behind your name stand for AH. As for SRS....Sex Really Sucks for those who haven't yet had their sexual reassignment surgery.

[YoungAD]

I just encountered a well reviewed escort who is temporarily based in South Florida. Our session went very smoothly, until he asked my profession. Being a MFCC, he more or less latched on to me once I told him, and wanted me to provide counseling for his proposed SRS.

Could a barter be worked out? This escort's approach is something I have experienced yet.

Open to all feedback, and thank you.

 

Your credibility "more or less" went out the window with this post. A barter? You should retake your ethics class.

[rvwnsd]

Let me qualify, this escorts approach is NOTHIG I've experienced before. He has latched on to me, I don't want to be smitten, nor rude.

We are not saying you shouldn't have sex with this escort. We are saying you shouldn't have sex with this escort and serve as his counselor.

 

There's no reason for rudeness. You can politely say "I am bound by a code of conduct that prohibits me from being your counselor due to our close personal relationship" or some such.

[+ Eric Hassan]

It's concerning that you didn't seem to consider the ethical issues here.

 

I think you could best address this by following @rvwnsd's guidance. Perhaps you could also point him in the right direction and suggest some resources for him - though I would be careful to not suggest your best work friend as the person he could go see. I would also establish and communicate clear boundaries for any future meetings as he may not be able to do so himself. If you don't think you can set AND FOLLOW clear boundaries, it's best to not hire him again. I get the desire to help but you could really end up fucking with his mind.

[YoungAD]

It's concerning that you didn't seem to consider the ethical issues here.

 

I think you could best address this by following @rvwnsd's guidance. Perhaps you could also point him in the right direction and suggest some resources for him - though I would be careful to not suggest your best work friend as the person he could go see. I would also establish and communicate clear boundaries for any future meetings as he may not be able to do so himself. If you don't think you can set AND FOLLOW clear boundaries, it's best to not hire him again. I get the desire to help but you could really end up fucking with his mind.

 

I have difficulty believing the original post is even real.

[MiamiLooker]

I just encountered a well reviewed escort who is temporarily based in South Florida. Our session went very smoothly, until he asked my profession. Being a MFCC, he more or less latched on to me once I told him, and wanted me to provide counseling for his proposed SRS.

Could a barter be worked out? This escort's approach is something I have experienced yet.

Open to all feedback, and thank you.

Change your profession.

[+ nycman]

I'm not sure this is an area that I would consider within the scope of practice for an MFCC.

 

Regardless, the ethical issues you raise are HUGE and OBVIOUS.

 

If you don't see that....either your judgement is severely clouded....

or your ethics are non-existent ....and you have a major problem.

 

You need to get help for yourself....and FAST....before you lose your license.

 

You maybe rationalizing that you're "helping" this young escort....you are not.

 

You are flushing your training, license, and respect for the profession down the toilet.

 

Sorry if our posts sound harsh....we're trying to save you from yourself.

[JayCeeKy]

Since you have an MFCC I assume you are in California. Being a "Consumer State" California would love nothing better than to take away someone's license for ethical boundary violations. I am not sure whether you were serious about "bartering" - you providing therapy for sexual favors - I sure as hell hope you are joking. There is also the issue of practicing outside your "level of competence and training" and if you have no expertise in this area I am sure the California MFCC Board would love to tack this ethical violation onto your case. RUN, DON'T WALK, AS FAST AS YOU CAN AWAY FROM ANY NOTION OF PROVIDING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES TO SOMEONE WITH WHOM YOU HAVE A ROMANTIC OR SEXUAL RELATIONSHIP ESPECIALLY AN ESCORT! (And if you don't think these ethical violations will ever be reported, you need, as someone else suggested, therapy yourself.)

[LADoug1]

Change your profession.

 

Or go back to school and retake your classes.

[+ glutes]

What will they do with a worn-out escort pecker?