"If a (wo)man lives without inner struggle, if everything happens in him/her without
opposition ... s/he will remain such as s/he is". Gurdjieff, in Campbell (1991)
Statement on the need for self-protection. Presented
by Dr Jim Byrne
It seems to be the case that a small percentage of counsellors,
coaches and psychotherapists engage in occasional acts of sexual and financial exploitation of some of their clients; as well
as verbal and physical abuse. This is a shocking truth that the potential client needs to be aware of if they are to
protect themselves in such relationships. I recommend that you not enter into any professional relationship which makes
you in any way vulneralble to exploitation or abuse, unless you can be assured: (1) that
you have taken steps to strengthen yourself, and to act assertively in all your relationships;
and (2) that you have done your best to establish the character and credentials of the professional
you are contemplating consulting. Here's a little article that may help you further.