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Sex‐Positive Assessment and Treatment Among Female Trauma Survivors
Author(s) -
Baggett Linda R.,
Eisen Ethan,
GonzalezRivas Sara,
Olson Lacy A.,
Cameron Rebecca P.,
Mona Linda R.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of clinical psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.124
H-Index - 119
eISSN - 1097-4679
pISSN - 0021-9762
DOI - 10.1002/jclp.22510
Subject(s) - human sexuality , sex therapy , psychology , psychotherapist , clinical psychology , sexual assault , cognitive therapy , sexual dysfunction , cognition , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , psychiatry , medicine , medical emergency , gender studies , sociology
Sexuality and intimacy difficulties are often a part of the aftermath of sexual trauma. We argue that combining techniques from evidence‐based, trauma‐focused treatment with sex‐positive techniques used in sex therapy can best help survivors reduce trauma‐related symptoms and develop or regain comfort with their sexuality. In this article, we illustrate this approach by describing the case of a survivor of sexual assault, who completed 20 sessions of treatment that combined modules of trauma‐focused therapies, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Prolonged Exposure (PE) with sensate focus therapy, a technique often used in sex therapy. The outcome of this case suggests that clinicians who work with sexual trauma survivors may want to consider a sex‐positive approach to conceptualizing and planning the course of treatment, to achieve optimal results.