ERIC Number: ED159516
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1978
Pages: 12
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Psychological Intervention in Cases of Incest: Treatment Issues.
Watts, Deborah
Counseling victims of incest is based on the needs of each client. Different types of trauma may differentially affect four main areas of the victim's life: social, emotional, physical, and sexual. Each of these areas merits exploration in counseling, with emphasis varying with the nature of the circumstances surrounding the incestuous relationship. It is particularly important for the counselor to be nonjudgmental and to provide a psychologically safe environment. Assumptions made about working with victims also need to be addressed. These include counselor attitudes or biases and recognition of the numerous myths surrounding incest. Research indicates that most incest victims share some common characteristics, especially in terms of reactions to the assault and presenting complaints in counseling. Furthermore, general treatment issues include an assessment of the nature of the assault (duration, frequency, and type of sexual contact), precipitating factors in the decision to disclose the incest, and the unique response pattern of the victim. Case material is presented and the issue of working with incestuous families is addressed briefly. (Author)
Publication Type: Reference Materials - Bibliographies
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A