Retrospective Presentations of Incest: Treatment Strategies for Use with Adult Women

Abstract

The author discusses counseling considerations and techniques for use with adult women experiencing adjustment difficulties relating to childhood experience of incest with father or stepfather. Particular consideration is given to the use of techniques that allow for in‐depth work on family of origin issues In the individual counseling setting.

Approaches used in dance/movement therapy with adult women incest survivors

“…All these issues, except for balance and centering activities and the use of "mental tools," are mentioned in the literature by Briere (1989), Cole (1987), andJoy (1987).…”

Therapeutic Approaches for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Review

“…Josephson and Fong-Beyette (1987) found that clients who received positive reactions (calmness, empathy and encouragement) from therapists felt relief and trust, whereas those who experienced negative feelings (minimizing the effect of the abuse, or excessive interest in it, expressing anger at the perpetrator or client) reported a loss of trust in the therapist, and either changed the subject or stopped attending. Joy (1987) pointed out that the client must learn to trust the counsellor and to counteract the inclination to flee from difficult issues.…”

“…Joy (1987) suggested that Gestalt techniques such as the`empty chair' may facilitate the process of ventilation, and also recommended other projective techniques such as family sculpting. Many of the reports of exploratory or cathartic approaches are anecdotal, and a number of important caveats have been expressed by Sanderson (1990):`Many of the techniques included in the experiential/exploratory approach are highly anxiety provoking and threatening to the survivor.…”

La dynamique traumatisante des abus sexuels et leurs conséquences à long terme

“…La théorie féministe redéfinit l'inceste et les abus sexuels (Courtois,1988 ;Meiselman, 1990 ;Herman, 1987 ;Russell, 1986 ;Joy, 1987) comme un désir de pouvoir et de dégradation des femmes par les hommes, les hommes étant conditionnés dans des rôles de pouvoir et de domination à l'égard des femmes. La sexualité n'est qu'un autre domaine où les hommes revendiquent ce pouvoir.…”