NCJ Number
243120
Date Published
2011
Length
12 pages
Annotation
In addressing the assessment and treatment of incest families, this chapter focuses on clinical assessment and the three stages of treatment.
Abstract
Although recognizing the continuing conflict over whether to use family therapy with incestuous families, the author advises that it is much healthier to prepare the family for reconciliation by openly and proactively addressing it. The alternative is to insist that the family separate forever. In the chapter's proposed family treatment model, three stages of treatment are discussed and interventions recommended. It is suggested that each family member simultaneously receive specialized treatment (e.g., sex-offender treatment for the offender and victim therapy for the child). The chapter's section on clinical assessment advises that assessment of the entire family enables the therapist to witness the interactions among family members. Initially, however, the entire family is not seen together if either parent is in denial about the facts of the abuse or if the victim is not ready to engage in a session with the offender. The assessment should be viewed as ongoing throughout treatment with the family, beginning in the first stage of treatment. Stage 1 involves "creating a context for change." During this stage of treatment, the vulnerability model is followed, which involves an assessment of the family to determine its vulnerabilities and resilience. In stage 2, "challenging patterns and expanding realities," intervention variations are tailored to meet specific family needs, and the family continues to be challenged to practice new behaviors. Stage 3, "consolidation" focuses the family on the constructive changes that have occurred and how to maintain them. 2 references