NCJ Number
145825
Journal
Journal of Child Sexual Abuse Volume: 1 Issue: 4 Dated: (1992) Pages: 1-18
Date Published
1992
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Group therapy can be a valuable component of a multiple impact treatment program for latency-age male victims of sexual abuse, though not a replacement for individual and family treatment.
Abstract
This article examines the purpose of group treatment, group development and structure, selection and preparation of prospective participants, phases of group therapy and salient treatment goals, co-leadership issues and tasks, management of transference and countertransference, and evaluation of the therapy group's effectiveness. The group serves to provide support to participants and to reduce the sense of isolation and stigmatization often experienced by these boys. Participants are afforded the opportunity to address many of the interpersonal manifestations of child sexual abuse, including issues of mistrust, social withdrawal, and dysfunctional management of feelings, and may gain enhanced self-esteem and a sense of self-mastery. 1 table and 12 references