NCJ Number
142197
Journal
Journal of Strategic and Systemic Therapies Volume: 8 Issue: 4 Dated: (Winter 1989) Pages: 9-17
Date Published
1989
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article describes an Ericksonian approach in the treatment of incest survivors, which features a group format, hypnotic techniques, mixed genders, an orientation to solutions and the future, and a therapy principle of context connectedness (reconnecting symptomatic expressions with larger social, psychological, and organismic contexts).
Abstract
The group format allows the exploration of intense experiences in a larger community, and group members work with each other to generate greater variety in coping with life challenges. Male and female incest survivors participate in the same group to facilitate the development of trust and cooperation among the genders and to assist in the clarification of sexual identity. Hypnosis is used as a primary technique for solution development in the groups. Hypnosis enables individuals to reclaim and develop, at their own rates and in their own styles, skills for self- healing and self-expression. Mastery orientation intends to promote competency in such skills as self/other differentiation, positive body images, intimacy with a mate, and social participation and competency. Future orientation encourages individuals to orient, at both conscious and unconscious levels, to desired ways of being and acting. The focus on context-connectedness develops solutions to problems by reconnecting individuals to resource contexts. The article describes the structure of the group, group formation, mastery themes, and treatment outcomes. 13 references