Shattered Innocence: A Practical Guide For Counselling Women Survivors Of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Using a holistic approach, this guidebook is geared toward mental health professionals working with women who have been victims of sexual abuse. It provides the background necessary for understanding child abuse, and presents a four-stage theoretical model for therapeutic intervention. It is intended to help the therapist to accurately diagnose the occurence of childhood sexual abuse, conceptualise the effects of family, stage of development and spirituality of the victim. Ego splitting is examined in detail, and comprehensive case studies on the topic are also included. In addition, this book should help serve as a bridge between the popular and professional literature on treatment of sexual abuse survivors. By using mainstream literature and fairy tales, the authors show how numerous metaphors for abuse are presented in our everyday life. This historical perspective, coupled with the four-step process, supplies the practitioner with a comprehensive overview, numerous invaluable treatment techniques and an opportunity to gain an empathic understanding of the victim's life and experiences. The format also makes this text accessible to laypersons - both clients and other concerned individuals.