6 Mysteries and Revealing Truths on:
Childhood Sexual Abuse, the Clinician's Role, and the Needs of Survivors
- The aftermath of childhood sexual trauma can result in a lifetime and life pattern of self-destructive behaviors.
- Sexual trauma destroys the survivor's capacity for sexual pleasure.
- Most survivors of sexual trauma will not volunteer information about past sexual assault, yet want to be asked by you, the clinician, about past sexual violations.
- When talking about sexual trauma, survivors are concerned less with how many professional letters follow your name and more with how trustworthy you are with their feelings and disclosures.
- Personal warmth and likeability
- A non-judgmental attitude
- Being empathetic, accepting, objective, patient and understanding
- Demonstrating genuine interest in the client.
- Clinicians fear they will open up a can of worms and are unprepared to facilitate/cope with it.
- Managing one's own triggers, fears, and clarifying personal and professional values on one's own sexuality is essential.
- Two Key Questions to Ask? – What problem(s) has the abuse caused you and what are the ways in which I might be of help?
