Group Therapy With Female Adolescent Incest Victims (From Handbook of Clinical Intervention in Child Sexual Abuse, P 147-175, 1982, by Suzanne M Sgroi - See NCJ-97363)

• NCJ Number: 97367
• Author(s): L C Blick; F S Porter
• Date Published: 1982
• Length: 29 pages
• Sale Source: Lexington Books
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This paper discusses the formation of a therapy group for adolescent incest victims and the techniques used within the group, based on the program developed by Connecticut's Sexual Trauma Treatment Program (STTP).

Abstract

The group was formed mainly to help the victims deal with the emotional trauma resulting from their incestuous relationships. It also gave the victims the chance to relate to peers in a socially acceptable environment. The eight issues on which planning focused were a meeting place, the time and scheduling of meetings, the participants' time commitment to the group, transportation, characteristics required in members, refreshments, the agency support system, and the use of cotherapists. After these logistical considerations were explored, therapists focused on significant intervention issues: the roles of individual and group therapy, the expansion of the group, psychodynamic issues which were amenable to group intervention, and treatment issues such as ventiliation of anger and preparation for court. Thirteen intervention techniques which were effective with adolescents were identified. During the 20 months of the group's existence, some techniques were added, and others were discarded. The crucial components for a successful group were having a core group of committed members and actively involved therapists. Using two female cotherapists was found to have several advantages. One reference is listed.