A 32-Year-Old Business Executive Comes to the Psychiatrist for Treatment

A 32-year-old business executive comes to the psychiatrist for treatment of depression.  He has a 4-month history of increasing sadness, sleep disturbance, low energy and motivation, and impaired concentration, and states that he is on the verge of losing his job.  He responds well to antidepressant medication and continues on the medication for a year without complication; the last chart entry documents that his depression is in remission.  Three months later, the patient phones the psychiatrist to inform her that he is doing well, has decided to discontinue the medication, and no longer feels the need for follow-up.  A year later, the patient, who is single, meets the psychiatrist at a local gathering and invites her for a dinner date.  The psychiatrist is likewise single and interested in dating.  Which of the following is the most appropriate course of action?

A) Accept the invitation as it is the patient, not the physician, who is initiating the relationship
B) Accept the invitation as sufficient time has elapsed since the patient was treated
C) Accept the invitation but require a formal letter documenting termination of the physician-patient relationship
D) Explain that a relationship can be initiated only once the patient has established care with a new psychiatrist
E) Explain that dating a former patient is unethical