Flashback phenomena in survivors of childhood sexual abuse: A four-stage treatment model

There has been a growing awareness of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a consequence of childhood sexual trauma. Central to this diagnosis is the flashback experience. Flashbacks are essentially memories which have not been integrated into everyday consciousness and return as intrusive symptoms, usually accompanied by dread and panic. This article presents a treatment strategy based on a four-stage model. The model includes (1) education; (2) assisting clients in identifying their flashback patterns; (3) designing coping strategies; and (4) processing the flashback. The goal is to assist the client with the management and integration of traumatic memory.This article is based on a paper practical guidelines to treating incest survivors' flashbacks presented at the World Congress of Cognitive Therapy, Toronto, June 1992.