Media Coverage of Child Sexual Abuse: An Opportunity for Family Therapists to Help Families and Communities

The recent media coverage of child sexual abuse charges involving priests is likely to trigger various needs among the public for professional services. Family therapists should prepare to respond effectively to the high anxiety that these media stories trigger. Family therapists with expertise in human sexuality should use such reports to promote a fuller understanding of all aspects of sexuality for individuals and families. Professionals can integrate much needed aspects of sexuality education in dealing with the mass media, in crisis intervention for persons at risk, and in therapy that centers on child or adult experiences of sexual abuse.     

Enhancing the Creative Process in Couple Therapy

ABSTRACT

This paper reviews the literature as it relates to psychotherapy and creativity. The focus is on the creative process and the role of the therapist as “artist” in the practice of couple therapy. The theory on which the paper is based in problem-centered with influences from the writing of Satir, humanistic psychology and psychodynamic psychotherapy. The paper attempts to offer suggestions as to how therapists might enhance their innate creative ability when working with couples.     

The Association of Child Abuse and Eating Disorder Symptomatology

Abstract

Using self-report questionnaires, symptoms of eating disorders were examined in relation to child sexual (CSA), physical (CPA), and emotional abuse (CEA), and adult rape among 301 college women. CPA and adult rape were associated with fear of fatness and bulimic behavior. CEA, family cohesion and expressiveness, and adult rape were related to difficulties recognizing emotional states and satiety. Individuals who reported multiple forms of child abuse or who were revictimized exhibited the highest levels of symptoms. Revictimized women were more likely to report clinical levels of symptoms compared with individuals reporting adult rape without child abuse or child abuse without adult rape. Findings support the assumption that negative experiences in addition to CSA, such as adult rape and other forms of child abuse, influence eating pathology, and suggest a cumulative impact of abuse.     

Stories,stories everywhere; But not a truth to think

Abstract

Black Sheep and Kissing Cousins: How our family stories shape us by Elizabeth E. Stone New York: Penguin, 1989

Narrative means to therapeutic ends by Michael White and David Epston New York: Norton, 1990

Between psychology and psychotherapy: A poetics of experience by Miller Mair London: Routledge, 1989

Moments of engagement by Peter Kramer New York: Norton, 1989

Metaphor & meaning in psychotherapy by Ellen Y. Siegelman New York: Guilford Press, 1990     

An Analysis of the Impact of Prison on Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse

Summary

The prevalence of child abuse histories among incarcerated women has fundamental implications for understanding women's well-being during incarceration. This review of the literature on child sexual abuse and women in prison suggests that incarcerated survivors are likely to be frequently reexposed to the powerful traumatizing processes associated with their early abuse, including traumatic sexualization, powerlessness, stigmatization, and betrayal (Finkelhor & Browne, 1985). Reexposure to these traumagenic dynamics has the potential to trigger traumatic reJivings of imprisoned survivors' pasts, to which survivors respond with a variety of coping strategies often seen in prison, including substance abuse, violence, self-injury, and suicide. The implications of these dynamics and women's responses to them for those who work with incarcerated women, for prison policy, and for research are discussed.     

The Roles of Metaphor and Imagination in Child Trauma Treatment

ABSTRACT

This article presents developmental theory regarding the emergence and importance of metaphor and imagination to child development. The author then reviews psychotherapy research and clinical literature to identify ways that these two mental processes, as transtheoretical elements of child therapy, can be applied within trauma-specific treatment for expressing and processing difficult experiences, integrating traumatic memories, containing fears, bolstering self-efficacy, and expanding understanding of self and others. Case examples are provided to illustrate clinical applications.     

Passion,Containment, and Commitment—Essential Elements of Groups Across the Lifespan in Bruce Springsteen’s Work

Abstract

The group, with its intensity, interaction, roles and dynamics, is an important unit of experience in everyday life, in psychotherapy groups, and in Bruce Springsteen’s music. This paper explores experiences of and ideas about real life groups throughout the lifecycle through Springsteen’s music, framed in concepts from a broad group literature including clinical psychology, social psychology, group psychotherapy, sociology, anthropology, and organizational psychology. The lifecycle includes adolescence and the role of the group to contain all its passions; the work world with its excitements and disillusionments; encounters with loss, and the holding power of the group; experiences of dissolution of the group, and possibilities for recommitment; and the passion and support of the group during celebrations. Themes of passion, containment, and commitment weave throughout the narrative.     

Franklian psychotherapy with adults molested as children

A Franklian approach to treatment with adults who were molested as children recognizes that the trauma client's experiences of trauma and terror as a child can be transformed to discover real meaning potentials in the adult's daily life. In this paper the authors present a five-stage treatment approach based upon the Logotherapy concepts of Viktor Frankl which they have found to be helpful with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Case material is presented to illustrate the described intervention approach.     

The adolescent first kiss

Abstract

This essay proposes a more intense exchange between humanistic psychology and Lacanian psychoanalysis. Certainly, the two fields are aware of one another but an atmosphere of mutual suspicion and superficial knowledge characterize their relationship. If we examine some of the suppositions governing each approach, there are points of similarity. Both see “psychology” in its truest meaning as defined by ethics. Both countenance the importance of the social and the unique individual (the particular for Lacan). There are also glaring differences on key questions. With respect to these differences, the author reads humanistic psychology through a Lacanian lens to indicate how Lacanian concepts can answer some of the recognized impasses of humanistic psychology (such as the question of evil) where humanistic psychology is other to itself.     

Mental Health Matters

Abstract

This article discusses the epistemological biases and therapeutic risks of overly-medicalized and deterministic approaches to women's psychological problems. Constructivist and feminist perspectives are used to illuminate the essentially political enterprise of naming psychological distress, and to argue the necessity of feminist theories of psychotherapy. These too, however, must be critically examined for deterministic assumptions which emphasize pathology or victimization, thereby limiting recognition of women's agency, and capacity for resistance and change. One alternative model is Adler's Individual Psychology. This humanistic approach is neither medicalized nor deterministic, assumes human freedom and pur-posefulness, emphasizes the dialectic interaction of the individual and society, and is philosophically committed to gender equality.     

Toward an Integration of Constructivism and Existential Psychotherapy

Constructivism and existential psychology are distinct approaches to therapy that share many important commonalities. Included in the commonalities are a focus on meaning, relationships, change, and experience. We maintain that an existential-constructivist foundation can provide an ideal foundation for integration that can deepen approaches to therapy that resonate with aspects of existential and constructivist therapies. Three approaches to therapy highlight possibilities for integration: caregiver family therapy, equine-facilitated therapy, and substance abuse therapy. Building from these examples, various approaches to integration emerging from constructivism and existentialism can prove fruitful for developing a constructivism-existential psychology integration.     

On exploring meanings: Combining humanistic and career psychology theories in counselling

The notion of meaning is considered a significant construct in both humanistic psychology and vocational psychology. These two psychological disciplines appear to share some philosophical common ground with respect to the role of meaning making and meaning interpretation in people's life career experiences. This paper intends to take a look at such shared conceptual foundation, and examine the feasibility in incorporating the humanistic meaning construct into career psychology. Career counselling implications are discussed.     

Current Treatment Strategies for Sexually Abused Children

SUMMARY

Given the disturbingly high prevalence of child sexual abuse, the expertise of medical and mental health professionals in treating child sexual abuse victims is essential. Relevant issues in treating these children include the mindfulness of developmental considerations, incorporation of a multi-modal therapeutic evaluation approach, clarification of treatment goals, appropriate use of and integration of various treatment modalities, and effective treatment termination. This article provides an introduction aid overview of treatment of sexually abused children of all ages, from preschoolers to adolescents, with special emphasis on the importance of developmentally linked evaluation and treatment strategies. Treatment is discussed in terms of goals, stages from evaluation to termination, and formats and modalities including individual psychotherapy, family psychotherapy, group psychotherapy and hypnotherapy, to provide a comprehensive overview of current treatment strategies for sexually abused children.     

Bridging the gaps: Weaving multicultural and humanistic perspectives into transpersonal education

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore the interface of multicultural and humanistic values in the teaching of spirituality and the transpersonal in graduate counseling courses. We share our experiences in curriculum development and encounters with Western psychology from an Eastern (Vedic) worldview. Themes of ethnocentrism and separations (by professional specialty) are addressed. We conclude with recommendations that will enhance “bridge‐building” between these specialties and promote further dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration.     

The inter-generational transmission of trauma: The effects of abuse on the survivor's relationship with their children and on the children themselves

This paper explores some of the potential consequences of childhood abuse in adulthood, in terms of the effects on parenting, and on the child of the abuse survivor. Reference is made, and parallels drawn where appropriate, to the experiences of survivors of the Holocaust in respect of both these themes. the clinical experience of the author vis-à-vis survivors of abuse and parenting has strong similarities to some of the findings of those researching this subject from the perspective of the Holocaust. While the primary focus is on the experiences of survivors of childhood abuse these similarities and parallels are also acknowledged.     

Hegel and self‐actualization

Abstract

Hegel says that mind develops through three phases, which he calls soul, consciousness, and mind. By referring to these three phases as the Primary level, the Social level and the Realizing level, it makes it clearer that they link up with thoroughly familiar phenomena in the field of psychotherapy and with contemporary life generally. In fact, they give a new angle on the whole process of self‐actualization, which throws light on many topics in humanistic psychology.     

Otto Rank's art

Abstract

Otto Rank's work has had an indirect influence on much of existential‐humanistic psychology, yet his contribution has been unevenly acknowledged. Seeing Rank as a developing artist helps to put his creative contributions to psychoanalysis, post‐psychoanalytic critique, and existential‐humanistic psychotherapy, in perspective. After his separation from Freud, Rank's innovative thought blossomed; his later works have deep and lingering humanistic import. A look at convergences and divergences between Freud and Rank shows that Rank's art (of living, of theorizing, and of practicing therapy) is an uncannily familiar and inspiring model of humanistic practice in the world. The continuing relevance of Rank's ideas about art and artists is explored, and Rank is re‐introduced to humanistic psychologists who may recognize aspects of his work as consonant with their own.     

Where is Safeguarding in Sport Psychology Research and Practice?

Recent cases of sexual abuse of athletes have drawn significant concern amongst stakeholders in sport and the public at-large. The fact that the perpetrators in many cases of athlete abuse had numerous victims over the span of several years raises questions of who might have known or suspected that athletes were being harmed. Sexual abuse cases should serve as an impetus for all of us in sport psychology to interrogate our roles and responsibilities as consultants and researchers in the protection of athletes. We propose that future research in applied sport psychology and education of consultants address maltreatment and safeguarding.

Lay Summary: In the following article, we propose that more attention in the research and practice of sport psychology should be devoted to understanding maltreatment of athletes and ways to protect athletes from harm.