http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21142113-5006789,00.html

Dog collar and whip 'is ethical therapy'

A PERTH psychologist says forcing a patient to wear a dogcollar and call him master is well within his profession's ethical guidelines.

Bruce Alistair Beaton, 64, of Fremantle, was giving evidence at his Western Australia District Court trial for indecently assaulting the 22-year-old woman between January and March 2005.

He has pleaded not guilty to four counts of indecent assault and one of aggravated sexual penetration.

Mr Beaton was arrested when police burst into his office in March 2005, after hearing whipping sounds while they secretly video recorded one of his treatment sessions with the now 24-year-old woman.

Mr Beaton told the court he had resorted to drastic treatment with his vulnerable, bulimic patient because gentle methods were not working because she was involved in violent relationships.

He said he thought role playing a master/submissive relationship would help -so he made her wear a dog collar, call him master and cracked a whip in treatment sessions in order to build a more trusting relationship.

Mr Beaton said his drastic treatment was allowed by the Australian Psychological Society.

"It is right within the ethical guidelines," Mr Beaton told the court.

"I am not saying it would be alright if I hit her.

"I did not hit her."

The jury has watched the tape on which Mr Beaton is heard calling the woman his "delicious" submissive and she calls him "master".

She is seen wearing a dog collar and heard swearing an oath to give him her body in order "to become a better person".

Beaton gives her a pink cat-o'-nine tailed whip and it is heard, but not seen, cracking 12 times before police intervene.

The trial continues today.