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Complex Couples: Multi‐Theoretical Couples Counselling with Traumatised Adults Who have a History of Child Sexual Abuse
Author(s) -
Zala Sheri
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of family therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.297
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 1467-8438
pISSN - 0814-723X
DOI - 10.1017/aft.2012.27
Subject(s) - psychology , attachment theory , psychotherapist , human sexuality , sexual abuse , family therapy , child sexual abuse , sex therapy , therapeutic relationship , developmental psychology , psychoanalysis , sexual dysfunction , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , medicine , gender studies , sociology , environmental health
One of the major ways child sexual abuse can have an impact on individuals is in their later ability to have and maintain fulfilling couple relationships. Survivors may experience avoidance behaviours that become problematic in their adult intimate relationships. If couple therapists fail to focus on these traumatic imprints, the therapy may founder. This paper proposes that a multi‐theoretical approach enables the couple therapist to deal with the complex problems such couples present including sexuality and intimacy concerns. Such an approach integrates trauma theory, attachment theory, feminist principles, body‐oriented psychotherapy, and systemic couple therapy.