ILCS » Chapter 740 · Act 140
Illinois Compiled Statutes

740 ILCS 140/1 (2026)

Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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(740 ILCS 140/1) (from Ch. 70, par. 801)
    Sec. 1. Definitions. In this Act:
    (a) "Emotionally dependent" means that the nature of the patient's or former patient's emotional condition and the nature of the treatment provided by the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional are such that the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional knows or has reason to believe that the patient or former patient is unable to withhold consent to sexual contact by the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional.
    (b) "Former patient" means a person who was given psychotherapy within 1 year prior to sexual contact with the psychotherapist or who obtained a professional consultation or diagnostic or therapeutic service from an unlicensed health professional or unlicensed mental health professional within one year prior to sexual contact with the unlicensed health professional or unlicensed mental health professional.
    (c) "Patient" means a person who seeks or obtains psychotherapy or who obtains a professional consultation or diagnostic or therapeutic service from an unlicensed health professional or unlicensed mental health professional.
    (d) "Psychotherapist" means a physician, psychologist, nurse, chemical dependency counselor, social worker, or other person, whether or not licensed by the State, who performs or purports to perform psychotherapy.
    (e) "Psychotherapy" means the professional treatment, assessment, or counseling of a mental or emotional illness, symptom, or condition. "Psychotherapy" does not include counseling of a spiritual or religious nature, social work, or casual advice given by a friend or family member.
    (f) "Sexual contact" means any of the following, whether or not occurring with the consent of a patient or former patient:
        (1) sexual intercourse, cunnilingus, fellatio, anal
    
intercourse or any intrusion, however slight, into the genital or anal openings of the patient's or former patient's body by any part of the psychotherapist's, unlicensed health professional's, or unlicensed mental health professional's body or by any object used by the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional for that purpose, or any intrusion, however slight, into the genital or anal openings of the psychotherapist's, unlicensed health professional's, or unlicensed mental health professional's body by any part of the patient's or former patient's body or by any object used by the patient or former patient for that purpose, if agreed to by the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional;
        (2) kissing or intentional touching by the
    
psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional of the patient's or former patient's genital area, groin, inner thigh, buttocks, or breast or the clothing covering any of these body parts;
        (3) kissing or intentional touching by the patient or
    
former patient of the psychotherapist's, unlicensed health professional's, or unlicensed mental health professional's genital area, groin, inner thigh, buttocks, or breast or the clothing covering any of these body parts if the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional agrees to the kissing or intentional touching.
    "Sexual contact" includes a request by the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional for conduct described in paragraphs (1) through (3).
    "Sexual contact" does not include conduct described in paragraph (1) or (2) that is a part of standard medical treatment of a patient, casual social contact not intended to be sexual in character, or inadvertent touching.
    (g) "Therapeutic deception" means a representation by a psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional that sexual contact with the psychotherapist, unlicensed health professional, or unlicensed mental health professional is consistent with or part of the patient's or former patient's treatment.
    (h) "Unlicensed health professional" means a person who is not licensed or registered to provide health services by the Department of Professional Regulation or a board of registration duly authorized to grant licenses or registration to persons engaged in the practice of providing health services or whose license or registration to provide health services has been returned or revoked by the Department or that board.
    (i) "Unlicensed mental health professional" means a person who is not licensed or registered to provide mental health services by the Department of Professional Regulation or a board of registration duly authorized to grant licenses or registration to persons engaged in the practice of providing mental health services or whose license or registration to provide mental health services has been returned or revoked by the Department or that board.
(Source: P.A. 90-538, eff. 12-1-97.)

    
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 7 cases, 1994–2017 · leading case: Linda E. Dausch v. Reverend Greg Rykse, Knox Presbyterian Church, Chicago Presbytery, Also Known as Presbytery of Chicago, 52 F.3d 1425 (7th Cir. 1994).
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Linda E. Dausch v. Reverend Greg Rykse, Knox Presbyterian Church, Chicago Presbytery, Also Known as Presbytery of Chicago, 52 F.3d 1425 (7th Cir. 1994). · cites it 3× “Against the individual defendant Rykse, the complaint sets forth claims for professional negligence (Count I), breach of fiduciary duty (Count III), negligent infliction of emotional distress (Count V), and violation of the Sexual Exploitation of Psychotherapy Act, 740 ILCS…”
Am. Home Assurance Co. v. Steven Stone, Sheila Hall, Peter Hall, Brandon Hall, & Devin Hall, 61 F.3d 1321 (7th Cir. 1995). · cites it 2× “However, simply because Illinois has an interest in protecting the public from, and possibly compensating the victims of, sexual exploitation by psychotherapists, it does not necessarily follow that such a public policy would serve to preclude insurers from limiting their…”
Kaufmann v. Jersey Cmty. Hosp., 919 N.E.2d 1077 (Ill. App. Ct. 2009). · cites it 2× “Our legislature has recognized the potential for sexual misconduct in the mental-health-care context in the Sexual Exploitation in Psychotherapy, Professional Health Services, and Professional Mental Health Services Act (Exploitation Act) (740 ILCS 140/1 through 7 (West 2006)).…”
Doe v. Brouillette, 906 N.E.2d 105 (Ill. App. Ct. 2009). “In count VIII, the plaintiff alleged that the Catholic Bishop violated the Sexual Exploitation in Psychotherapy, Professional Health Services, and Professional Mental Health Services Act (740 ILCS 140/1 et seq. (West 2002)) (the Act) by allowing Brother Brouillette to provide…”
Amato v. Greenquist, 679 N.E.2d 446 (Ill. App. Ct. 1997). “” 740 ILCS 140/1(e) (West 1992) (Sexual Exploitation in Psychotherapy Act).”
Am. Home Assurance Co. v. Stone, 864 F. Supp. 767 (N.D. Ill. 1994). · cites it 2× “The Act provides in pertinent part that “A cause of action against a psychotherapist for sexual exploitation exists for a patient or former patient for injury caused by sexual contact with the psychotherapist____” 740 ILCS 140/2 § 2(a).”
Prof'l Solution Ins. Co. v. Giolas, 297 F. Supp. 3d 805 (E.D. Ill. 2017). “) Ferguson alleged that Giolas' improper sexual activity violated the Sexual Exploitation in Psychotherapy, Professional Health Services, and Professional Mental Health Services Act, 740 ILCS 140/1 et seq. , the Gender Violence Act, 740 ILCS 82/1 et seq.”
— 740 ILCS 140/1(e) — 2 cases
Linda E. Dausch v. Reverend Greg Rykse, Knox Presbyterian Church, Chicago Presbytery, Also Known as Presbytery of Chicago, 52 F.3d 1425 (7th Cir. 1994). “Against the individual defendant Rykse, the complaint sets forth claims for professional negligence (Count I), breach of fiduciary duty (Count III), negligent infliction of emotional distress (Count V), and violation of the Sexual Exploitation of Psychotherapy Act, 740 ILCS…”
Amato v. Greenquist, 679 N.E.2d 446 (Ill. App. Ct. 1997). “” 740 ILCS 140/1(e) (West 1992) (Sexual Exploitation in Psychotherapy Act).”
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