A groundbreaking therapeutic model to assist practitioners treat sexually abused children effectively is presented in this pragmatic volume. While the model is applicable to both male and female children, the author focuses on boys. In so doing, Friedrich cites pertinent gender and sociocultural issues that are critical to understanding boys, an understanding which is in turn essential for the provision of adequate and effective individual, group and family therapy.
`This book is a practical and supportive guide for the professionals facing this traumatic subject. [It] is easily readable' - Journal of Child and Adolescent Mental Health `Therapeutic Work With Sexually Abused Children locates the practice experience of the authors within a rigorous theoretical framework and is a readable and useable guide to the complexities of helping children and adolescents who have suffered the trauma of sexual abuse' - Youth & Policy `It is refreshing to find child therapists ready to engage with sexually abused children by incorporating trauma theory and research, addressing child protection and seeing themselves as part of a team that includes the carers. The authors provide an overview of phases of treatment, theoretical considerations and essential skills. They emphasize the importance of relationship and explore its impact on the therapist. Their approach is creative and child-centered. Case vignettes, poems and exercises promote empathy with the child's perspective. There is a useful chapter on cultural issues and the needs of children in alternative care... this is an excellent primer for the child's helping network' - Community Care `This is an excellent book for workers seeking to respond more effectively to child victims of abuse' - David Pearson, Caring Magazine Therapeutic Work with Sexually Abused Children is a creative and practical guide for professionals working directly with those who have suffered sexual abuse and for their carers. The trauma of sexual abuse experienced in childhood can be severe and enduring. Therapeutic support is offered to help both the child and the family cope with psychological or emotional difficulties both currently and in later life. Therapists must be able to respond effectively to the child victim in a sensitive and timely way which prioritizes the needs of each child. Drawing on their experience as practitioners, the authors explore the reactions which children commonly experience following abuse and examine the tasks of the therapist in responding to them. This book explores the counselling of children who have been abused rather than adult survivors of child abuse. The book will benefit from the combined experiences of one US author and one UK author.
This comprehensive text is one of the first to tackle the grave matter of the sexual abuse of boys, in all its complexity, within a biopsychosocial context and from different vantage points. Based on the life histories of more than one thousand sexually abused boys and adult males with histories of childhood sexual abuse, Sexual Abuse of Males examines the myriad biological, psychological, interpersonal, familial, and social variables that underlie and impact the experience of childhood sexual abuse. Guided by research and informed by practice, this pioneering text presents an extensive review of the literature, a well-grounded theoretical model of abuse dynamics and effects, a systematic model of treatment. This information is further elucidated through compelling case illustrations that highlight the effects of sexual abuse with regard to biological, psychological, and social adaptation, and development.
This text presents the many challenges for the therapists working with children and adolescents who have suffered abuse. It covers the reluctance of victims to talk about the abuse, helping victims to work through resistance, and more.
A Practical, Hands-On Resource Treating Sexually Abused Boys is a much-needed resource that offersclinical guidelines for addressing the unique needs of thispopulation. Written by an expert in the field of childhood sexualabuse, the book contains a wealth of exercises and activities thatcan be effectively applied in individual and group therapysettings. The techniques and exercises outlined are specificallydesigned to help sexually abused boys overcome feelings ofhelplessness, fear, and vulnerability and regain a sense ofpersonal power. "Treating Sexually Abused Boys offers relevant and comprehensiveguidance for all mental health professionals who work with childrenand adolescents. The ready-to-use therapeutic activities make it aninvaluable resource for today's busy clinician." --Tim Bynum, program director, Sexual Abuse Treatment Services forYWCA of Kauai, Hawaii "Camino has written a practical, easily understood guide for thosewho work with boys affected by sexual abuse. Both the experiencedtherapist and the newcomer will find it helpful." --Mic Hunter, author of Abused Boys: The Neglected Victims ofSexual Abuse and editor of The Sexually Abused Male, Volumes I& II "If you have ever shrunk away from working with boy victims ofsexual abuse-out of fear of the subject's complexity or your ownuncertainty-this book is a must read. It combines practicality witha refreshing directness in teasing apart some of the intricacies ofpower and vulnerability as those issues play out with thistragically underserved population." --Eugene Porter, author of Treating the Young Male Victim of SexualAssault
A comprehensive guide to the identification, assessment, and treatment of child sexual abuse The field of child sexual abuse has experienced an explosion of research, literature, and enhanced treatment methods over the last thirty years. Representing the latest refinements of thought in this field, Handbook of Child Sexual Abuse: Identification, Assessment, and Treatment combines the most current research with a wealth of clinical experience. The contributing authors, many of whom are pioneers in their respective specialties, include researchers and clinicians, forensic interviewers and law enforcement professionals, caseworkers and victim advocates, all of whom do the work of helping children who have been sexually victimized. Offering a snapshot of the state of the field as it stands today, Handbook of Child Sexual Abuse explores a variety of issues related to child sexual abuse, from identification, assessment, and treatment methods to models for implementation and prevention, including: The impact of sexual abuse on the developing brain The potential implications of early sexual victimization Navigating the complexities of multidisciplinary teams Forensic interviewing and clinical assessment Treatment options for children who have traumagenic symptoms as a response to their sexual victimization Treating children with sexual behavior problems and adolescents who engage in illegal sexual behavior Secondary trauma and vicarious traumatization Cultural considerations and prevention efforts Edited by a leader in the field of child therapy, this important reference equips helping professionals on the front lines in the battle against child sexual abuse not merely with state-of-the-art knowledge but also with a renewed vision for the importance of their role in the shaping of our culture and the healing of victimized children.
Building upon the theoretical work of Ferenczi, Fairbairn, and Berliner, the author describes four basic relational patterns in the lives of abused children: the reliving of abusive relationships, either as victim or as perpetrator; identification with the aggressor; masochistic self-blame; and the seeking of object contact though sex or violence. The interweaving of these patterns creates what Dr. Prior calls 'relational dilemmas.' According to him, these four basic relational patterns are held in place by the child's profound fear of falling into primitive states of unrelatedness and consequent annihilation anxiety. For example, the abused child believes that victimization by or identification with the bad object, no matter how horrible that may be, is preferable to the psychic disintegration that complete nonrelatedness creates. Dilemmas of this nature tear apart the child's psyche, leading to unstable and tormented models of self, other, and relationship. Object Relations in Severe Trauma provides sensitive understanding of childhood traumatization and a conceptual and technical framework for the treatment of patients--both children and adults--who have suffered from it.
The first book available to comprehensively address the treatment of sexually abused males, Opening the Door: A Treatment Model for Therapy with Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse is based on current research and the carefully evolved techniques of 41 therapists who have developed expertise in working with sexually abused males. It discusses both the approaches that these therapists bring to their work and presents interventions they have successfully applied in treatment. Written in clear, concise language, Opening the Door features a four-phase treatment model and presents, in detail, the therapeutic tasks necessary for each phase. This model makes clear the significant parallels and distinctions between the processes of therapy and abuse. These processes are discussed throughout the text to ensure that therapy will be a healing rather than a harmful experience. The volume presents information about the frequency of male sexual victimization, the impact of this victimization on the individual, primary differences between male and female victimization, and the issues victims typically bring into therapy. The four-phase treatment model for male survivors and the therapeutic tasks of each stage is then addressed. This model serves as a framework for presenting specific therapeutic interventions. Chapters examine such areas as the essential processes that pertain to all therapeutic modalities (individual, group, etc.) when treating male survivors of sexual abuse; contracting with clients, assessment guidelines, and methods of evaluation; individual therapy with male survivors; a two-stage group treatment model for male survivors, which discusses contraindications for group treatment, screening criteria, general ground rules for the group, and effective interventions; critical issues in treating male survivors, including engagement strategies, therapeutic impasses, and client/therapist gender dynamics; and the therapeutic process as it applies to adolescent male survivors, with particular emphasis on how treatment must be carefully tailored to the developmental needs of this group. Included are guidelines for working with adolescents and several interventions that contributors have successfully used with this population. Since working extensively with abuse survivors can exact significant personal costs, the book provides important self-care strategies for therapists to incorporate into their work and lives and discusses seven ways in which to recognize and manage counter-transference. The volume also contains a highly comprehensive list of written, video, and training resources that will provide therapists with numerous avenues to expand their clinical practice and knowledge, as well as seven appendices that include the DES Questionnaire and the Dean Adolescent Inventory Scale. Opening the Door will be an invaluable resource for all mental health practitioners who help male victims of sexual abuse to transcend survivorship and learn to live healthy, productive, and vital lives.
A long overdue book by a psychologist who has extensive clinical experience treating male victims of child sexual abuse, it explodes the myth that sexual abuse of male children is rare, or that the consequences are less serious than for girls. Hunter examines the physical and emotional impact of abuse on its victims and the factors affecting revovery. With personal case histories of victims and their families, this is a powerfully written and meticulously researched book that is a landmark in the field of child sexual abuse literature.
Looking in detail at cases where boys have been victims of sexual abuse, the authors look at the many questions that arise around the topic, particularly in so far as there are fears and anxieties specific to boys. They show what can be done to help these boys, and provide new insight into the state of mind of boys who have been abused.
