This descriptive study investigated the attitudes of 260 social workers in private practice in Louisiana toward erotic contact with clients by examining differences among social worker/psychotherapists on the following variables: sex, relationship status, previous psychotherapy, practice experience, sexual orientation, area of specialization, and theoretical orientation. A 40-item questionnaire requested information about social workers' attitudes and practices involving erotic contact with clients. Responses were received from 147 social workers (56.5%), 102 females and 45 males Findings indicated no differences between male and female respondents in either attitude or practices involving erotic contact with clients in therapy. All respondents were opposed to erotic contact with clients and none reported having had sexual contact with a client. It was concluded that none of the factors identified in previous research from the other mental health professions influenced the choices a social worker makes about sexual involvement with a client
