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The Psychotherapeutic Needs of Women Who Have Been Sexually Assaulted
Author(s) -
Draucker Claire Burke
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
perspectives in psychiatric care
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.538
H-Index - 35
eISSN - 1744-6163
pISSN - 0031-5990
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6163.1999.tb00564.x
Subject(s) - empowerment , mental health , psychology , sexual assault , clinical psychology , suicide prevention , psychotherapist , medicine , psychiatry , poison control , medical emergency , political science , law
problem Despite the significant emotional repercussions of sexual assault, women survivovs often avoid formal mental health treatment. Little is known about why survivors are reluctant to use professional sevices to facilitate recovery.methods A descriptive study used content analysis to describe the therapy experiences and self‐perceived psychotherapeutic needs of 33 women who survived sexual assault by male intimates.findings With regard to professional sevices, the participants were most concerned about the quality of the therapeutic relationship and advised clinicians to appreciate the strengths and resources women bring to their own recovery. The participants' specific psychotherapeutic needs were influenced by the pervasiveness of the violence in their lives.conclusions Clinicians should not focus exclusively on the amelioration of symptoms but should provide support, validation, and empowerment for sexual assault survivors who seek treatment.