Counselling Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

A text which examines the problem of child sex abuse but focuses on the adult survivors of such abuse. It explores theories accounting for the occurrence of child sexual abuse, its traumatic effect on the child victims and the retrospective treatment of these victims.

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`Counselling Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse addresses the myths and mysteries while propelling a lifeline to both the health professional and the adult survivor. This is propably the most complete book on sexual abuse in publication.' - Nursing Ethics

`If you're looking for a comprehensive overview of theory and practice in this hugely important area of work then look no further…a useful resource book which would make a thoughtful and thorough introduction for trainee clinical and counselling psychologists, or those looking to familiarise themselves with the range of issues in this area of work.'

- Changes - An International Journal of Psychology and Psychotherapy

`…significant in its frank, honest explication of the problem society faces when children are sexual victims and challenges psychologists to treat this systemic problem with all the resources available to them… The significance of this work is the comfort it provides to those who are searching for normalization of their experiences, the honesty in addressing the very existence of ongoing sexual abuse of children, our shared societal responsibility for potentially or inadvertently tolerating abuse, and a sense that there is a group of persons with whom survivors can identify.' - Contemporary Psychology

`a comprehensive guide to the background, theory and treatment of survivors of abuse which tackles the thorny issue of false memories, with sound advice about the role of the counsellor. It has an easy, readable style with just enough summarising of previous chapters to allow them to be read separately, making it an enjoyable and worthwhile book to read or refer to… I particularly liked the separation of objectives, approaches and techniques in dealing with treatment, which gave the book enormous clarity.' - Counselling

`…comprehensive and useful…very readable and would be especially useful for anyone who is just entering this field and wishes to explore all the options and provide their client with the best possible service.' - Community Care

`…gives an overview of the literature on theories of sexual abuse, its impact and long-term psychological consequences and an examination of different models of treatment.'

- Journal of Family Therapy

`…this excellent book…strikes a good balance between theory, data and practical advice for workers and includes illustrative case material and practical strategies for counsellors… It conveys both the experiences of survivors and the enormous amount that can be achieved. It is a stimulating and optimistic book which would be suitable for all workers in this important area.' - Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health

`This book is academically sound and is all-embracing in its treatment of its subject matter. It is an excellent resource book and would be recommended reading for any person wishing to embark on research in this field… All counsellors may indeed learn something from it.'

- Counselling Newsletter

`well-organized, clear, carefully reasoned and documented...a thorough, helpful, and sensible book, providing a readable overview of knowledge on the topic. While the text is aimed at professionals, Sanderson's style appeals to other concerned individuals including survivors and those who support them.' - FVSAB

This revised edition includes new information and data on the incidence of child sexual abuse and looks more closely at the complexities of sexual abuse by female abusers. An entirely new chapter on `False Memory Syndrome' is included in this edition which presents both clinical and scientific arguments pertaining to the retrieval of memories, as well as analysing the impact of the application of this syndrome not only on victims and survivors, but also on therapists and society as a whole.

Counselling Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse

* examines the theories which attempt to account for the occurrence of child sexual abuse

* explains the traumatic impact of child sexual abuse

* looks at the ways in which these effects can be ameliorated and the adult healed.

Treatment techniques and the role of the counsellor in employing these techniques are also discussed in such a way that the counsellor can make use of the book not only as a review of current theory, but also as a practical handbook for use with clients who may be adult survivors of child sexual abuse.