What is the Treatment for Sex Abuse Victims?

The answer to this question, from my perspective as a psychologist treating hundreds of victims and as a victim of sex abuse, is a rather trite answer. Anything and everything within the comfort of the identified patient and the ethical guidelines of treatment.

Strict, regimented treatment outlines are like fingernails on a blackboard for me. Many psychologists need to do research and measure outcomes, benefits, and failures. How can that be useful when there are so many variables ? These variables, to name a few, are the patent’s intelligence level, age of being abused, duration of abuse, relationship to the perpetrator, coping mechanisms, openness to treatment, peer support, and the individuals motivation to seek treatment.

I have found that group work with other victims of abuse is very effective. Timing is crucial. Vigilance to when the patient is ready is of the utmost importance. Life presents many options and choices. We should not be closed-minded to different treatment alternatives when it comes to healing the wounded soul. At the same time, there are charlatans out there that claim resolution for a price. Beware that in any profession there are individuals with little integrity, I am sad to say.

Treatment for victims of abuse needs to be eclectic. The patient, as well as the therapist, should be open to all perspectives of treatment. We do know that strict paradigms, such as psychoanalysis in its purest form, are one of the least effective means of treatment for abuse. Cognitive-behavioral, hypnosis, re-framing, and spirituality all play a role. A caring, supportive therapist who can hold the patient accountable is crucial. A therapist should not have a superficial plastic personality of the ” how does that make you feel ?” stereotype. The therapist needs to be REAL! Be with the patient one hundred percent. Allow them to move at their own pace with timed confrontation. Do not drag them through years of therapy. I always tell my patients; if there is no progress in five to six months, I am doing something wrong or they are not working hard enough the other six days of the week. I am not a believer in milking therapy sessions. I have learned far more from my patients than I have ever learned from any text. Set goals with the patient, obtainable goals. They will see the progress and feel empowered to continue.

Victims of abuse need support and a caring environment with true dedication from the therapist. The rewards are many for both therapist and patient. Treating patients is a privilege and with that attitude, we can make a difference.

How Above His Shoulders will benefit:

I specifically address my traditional and non-traditional treatment. Some of the treatment options I found I sought out. Many forms of treatment fell in my karmic path, I am glad I was willing to see them. The inner strength is within us all. I believe all have a passion and desire to improve and inherently strive to get better. Of course this is on a continuum, and each had their individual differences. I hope the book inspires hope, and a passion to move forward on a path of healing

Become a fan on facebook. See the photographs of the actual oak tree and the authors home, as well as a sneak peak at the new book. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Above-His-Shoulders/274131107309?ref=nf

For more information please go to: http://www.peaceandhealing.com/