IN THE SEX-STRESS SITUATION, BOTH PARTIES INITIALLY AGREE TO HAVE SEXUAL CONTACT, BUT THEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG. IN THE MUTUAL AGREEMENT TYPE OF SEX-STRESS SITUATION, BOTH PARTIES HAVE AGREED TO HAVE SEXUAL RELATIONS, BUT LATER EITHER PARENTS BECOME ANXIOUS, ONE OF THE PARTNERS BECOMES ANXIOUS, OR OFFICIALS IN AUTHORITY POSITIONS INTERVENE. IN THE CONTRACTING-FOR-SEX TYPE OF SEX-STRESS SITUATION, TYPICALLY A PROSTITUTE IS VICTIMIZED THROUGH NONPAYMENT, PERVERSION, ROBBERY, AND/OR VIOLENCE. USUALLY THE PERSON FOR WHOM THE SEXUAL SITUATION PRODUCES THE GREATEST ANXIETY IS THE ONE WHO BRINGS THE MATTER TO THE ATTENTION OF THE HOSPITAL STAFF OR POLICE, WHERE THE TENDENCY OFTEN IS TOWARD PREOCCUPATION WITH DETERMINING WHETHER A RAPE IS INVOLVED, RATHER THAN WITH IDENTIFYING THE NATURE OF THE YOUNG PERSON'S DISTRESS AND CONSIDERING HER REQUEST FOR SERVICE. THE THERAPEUTIC SKILLS NEEDED TO WORK WITH PEOPLE IN SEXUALLY STRESSFUL SITUATIONS ARE DISCUSSED, INCLUDING THE ABILITIES TO DEAL WITH SEXUAL ISSUES, TO ADHERE TO PROTOCOL, AND TO OBSERVE VERBAL ASSOCIATIONS. THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS THAT ARE USEFUL IN SEX-STRESS SITUATIONS -- IDENTIFYING THE ISSUE, ELICITING THE REQUEST FOR HELP, AND PROVIDING RESOURCES OR REFERRALS -- ARE DISCUSSED. CASE ACCOUNTS OF INTERVIEWS WITH SEX-STRESS CLIENTS ARE INCLUDED.