Psychotherapy With Survivors Of Sexual Violence

The role of psychotherapists in creating change for survivors of sexual violence can extend far wider than the rooms in which appointments are provided. Psychotherapy with Survivors of Sexual Violence aims to provide psychotherapists with practical guidance that will enable them to work with the prolific societal issue of sexual violence, both in the privacy of clinical practice and the wider world as activists. Erene Hadjiioannou outlines the components of relational psychotherapy necessary to counter the trauma that brings survivors to services, with a particular focus on empowerment and the freedoms that constitute it. The book defines the neurophysiological systems involved in surviving traumatic experiences and common psychological presentations, including post-traumatic stress disorder. Hadjiioannou explains the long-standing challenges of delivering psychotherapy to survivors who have reported to the police from various perspectives: understanding the criminal justice system, note-keeping, and survivors’ experiences of reporting. Barriers to accessing support, including myths, are examined and the book includes interview quotes from a range of survivors as well as fictional case studies throughout. Psychotherapy with Survivors of Sexual Violence will be a key text for psychotherapists of all backgrounds working with survivors, and for mental health professionals in training.

This updated and expanded edition provides comprehensive coverage of the theory and practice of counselling survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA). In a reasoned and thoughtful approach, this book honestly addresses the complex issues in this important area of work, providing practical strategies valuable and new insights for counsellors.

Praise for the Second Edition: `This is a user-friendly, readable, practical guide to assist survivors of childhood sexual abuse that will be particularly useful to students and practitioners who are new to this field′ - Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health `This is a book that should give those who find themselves working with sexual abuse survivors some tools and skills for the job′ - Young Minds Magazine `This book will be found valuable by all therapists and counsellors, not just those who have a special interest in childhood sexual abuse. Many will want to follow up the well-selected references the author gives. The detailed index will also help one to browse and read selectively′ - Sexual and Relationship Therapy The experience of childhood sexual abuse is a trauma which continues to have an impact on survivors thoughout their lives. The pervasive and long-term effects that stem from sexual abuse make it vital that counsellors become adept at addressing the unique and complex needs of survivors. In this Third Edition of Counselling Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse, Claire Burke Draucker and Donna S Martsolf identify the significant healing processes which are essential to achieve recovery. These include: " disclosing the abuse " reinterpreting it from an adult perspective " addressing issues related to the context of the abuse; and " making desired life changes. Each of these processes is discussed in conjunction with the most effective counselling interventions to facilitate resolution. Carefully chosen case examples demonstrate the appropriate use of interventions in practice. The Third Edition includes a wealth of new material covering memory retrieval, outcome research, multicultural counselling, emerging therapeutic approaches, and neuroscience and counseling. Dynamics and difficulties in the therapeutic relationship are also discussed in great depth.

Counselling Survivors of Domestic Abuse explains how counsellors can facilitate recovery from domestic abuse within a secure, supportive therapeutic relationship. There has been growing awareness in recent years of the impact and consequences of domestic abuse, especially the relationship between domestic abuse and mental health. To appreciate the nature of trauma caused by domestic abuse, professionals need to understand its complex nature and the psychobiological impact of repeated exposure to control and terror. This book examines the therapeutic techniques and specific challenges, such as secondary traumatic stress, faced by professionals when working with survivors of domestic abuse. The author stresses the importance of identifying domestic abuse so that it can be addressed in the therapeutic process to aid recovery, and explores issues such as safety and protection, the long-term effects of abuse and the importance of grieving to the restoration of hope. This book is essential reading for counsellors, therapists, social workers, mental health professionals, health care professionals including GPs and midwives, managers of refuges, legal professionals and all those working with survivors of domestic abuse.

Victims of sexual assault experience their trauma in different ways, and often one path to recovery and healing is right for one person, but not right for another. While there are some general mental health effects of sexual violence, this book outlines and describes the impact of particular types of sexual violation. Whether the survivor has experienced childhood sexual abuse, sexual assault during adulthood, marital rape, sexual harassment, sex trafficking, or sexual violence within the military, they will find aspects of her experience in these pages. Once survivors understand the ways in which they have been affected, they are introduced to various pathways to surviving sexual violence and moving forward. The chapters provide case examples and specific activities which give a fuller description of the ways survivors can make use of the particular approaches, which include mind-body practices, counseling, group therapies, self-defense training, and others. Anyone who has been a victim of sexual violence, or knows and cares about someone who has, will find relief in these pages, which offer practical approaches to finding balance and healing.

This book provides the long history of male sexual abuse based on the author's extensive clinical experience of working with children and adult victims of sexual crime. It presents several sexual abuse studies, focusing on the challenging art of psychotherapeutic treatment.

Sexual assault is a worldwide public health concern, as it occurs to people of all genders at alarming rates and results in serious impacts to physical and mental health. Furthermore, the reactions that survivors receive from formal and informal supports can significantly influence survivors' recovery. Given the prevalence of sexual assault, practitioners need to be prepared to handle disclosures of sexual assault from clients. A Clinician's Guide to Disclosures of Sexual Assault provides guidance for service providers on how to interact with survivors of sexual assault, defined here as sexual contact or penetration without the explicit consent of the victim. The book highlights that there are specific populations (e.g., sexual minorities, men) and settings (e.g., military, higher education) that require unique considerations when discussing sexual violence. Beginning with a foundation of literature focused on sexual assault and survivor disclosure, chapters build upon current theory and offer recommendations for conducting effective assessments and psychotherapy with survivors. Finally, case examples are presented to illustrate how these approaches can be used in practice. Professionals across disciplines, such as medical or educational settings, law enforcement, and victim services, have an instrumental role in facilitating survivor recovery, and this book offers best practices for delivering services in an affirming manner.

This book is a useful reference for anyone seeking to provide therapy to survivors of sexual abuse. The approach represented here is a holistic one that utilizes various approaches to heal the various manifestations of sexual abuse trauma. Since the acts associated with such abuse are often so difficult to discuss, this book presents several methods of communicating these unspeakable horrors nonverbally, allowing the survivor to express their trauma with less difficulty. This approach seeks to use the actions of the body to heal the mind. This text contains information relevant to treatment for children, adolescents, and adults, as well as male or female, and in group or individual settings. Many useful activities are outlined and illustrations are provided as examples.