How can therapists deal effectively with children or adolescents who have been sexually abused but refuse to discuss their experiences? Working with children and adolescents who have been sexually abused presents innumerable challenges for the therapist. Not least among them is the reluctance of some children or adolescents to discuss the abuse. In Techniques and Issues in Abuse-Focused Therapy, author Sandra Wieland describes The Internalization Model, which provides a framework to assist the therapist in understanding the effects of sexual abuse on the child or adolescentÆs internal sense of self and world even when a child or adolescent will not talk about their sexual abuse. Methods of addressing and shifting these abuse-related internalizations within the therapy are described along with techniques such as imaging, genograms, and time-lines. Sexuality, a topic that has been overlooked in the extant research literature on sexually abused children and adolescents, is also explored. This book provides practitioners with ideas for responding to a child or adolescent who becomes sexual within a session and for helping the victim reconnect to his or her own healthy sexuality. Dissociation, ranging from occasional ôoff-in-a-dazeö to dissociated identities, is explored along with extensive therapeutic intervention options. Resistance by the child, by the parent, and by the therapist is also identified and discussed. The techniques and issues in this book are described clearly and succinctly. Case examples are used throughout the book to help therapists incorporate concepts in their own practice. In a final chapter, adolescents discuss their own experiences with therapy. Although Techniques and Issues in Abuse-Focused Therapy centers on children and adolescents, it remains relevant for therapists working with adults who experienced abuse children. This book provides new ideas for advanced practitioners as well as beginning therapists.

Hearing the Internal Trauma offers therapists an innovative clinical model for understanding what happens within a sexually abused child. Combining the latest research findings in child development, early attachment, sexual abuse, and trauma with extensive clinical experience, this clearly written book assists therapists in not only recognizing signs of a child or adolescent's abuse but also developing effective therapeutic interventions. Author Sandra Wieland first provides a clear description of how children and adolescents present themselves in therapy, identifying how distress from abuse can be exhibited in their play, conversation, and behavior. Then, using a carefully balanced combination of psychoanalytic, behavioral, and cognitive therapies, Wieland imparts a psychodynamic trauma-focused therapy designed especially for abused children and adolescents. Including illustrative case examples of play or conversation as well as the therapist's thought processes, the book describes therapy with children, adolescents, and their nonperpetrator or perpetrator parents. Also included is a thoughtful discussion of the effects a therapist's own experiences and internalizations can have on the therapy process. Easy to read yet thought-provoking, Hearing the Internal Trauma is ideal for therapists, social workers, mental health practitioners, and interns working with this client population. Advanced students will also find the book instructional and enlightening.

How can therapists deal effectively with children or adolescents who have been sexually abused but refuse to discuss their experiences? Working with children and adolescents who have been sexually abused presents innumerable challenges for the therapist. Not least among them is the reluctance of some children or adolescents to discuss the abuse. In Techniques and Issues in Abuse-Focused Therapy, author Sandra Wieland describes The Internalization Model, which provides a framework to assist the therapist in understanding the effects of sexual abuse on the child or adolescentÆs internal sense of self and world even when a child or adolescent will not talk about their sexual abuse. Methods of addressing and shifting these abuse-related internalizations within the therapy are described along with techniques such as imaging, genograms, and time-lines. Sexuality, a topic that has been overlooked in the extant research literature on sexually abused children and adolescents, is also explored. This book provides practitioners with ideas for responding to a child or adolescent who becomes sexual within a session and for helping the victim reconnect to his or her own healthy sexuality. Dissociation, ranging from occasional ôoff-in-a-dazeö to dissociated identities, is explored along with extensive therapeutic intervention options. Resistance by the child, by the parent, and by the therapist is also identified and discussed. The techniques and issues in this book are described clearly and succinctly. Case examples are used throughout the book to help therapists incorporate concepts in their own practice. In a final chapter, adolescents discuss their own experiences with therapy. Although Techniques and Issues in Abuse-Focused Therapy centers on children and adolescents, it remains relevant for therapists working with adults who experienced abuse children. This book provides new ideas for advanced practitioners as well as beginning therapists.

Hearing the Internal Trauma offers therapists an innovative clinical model for understanding what happens within a sexually abused child. Combining the latest research findings in child development, early attachment, sexual abuse, and trauma with extensive clinical experience, this clearly written book assists therapists in not only recognizing signs of a child or adolescent's abuse but also developing effective therapeutic interventions. Author Sandra Wieland first provides a clear description of how children and adolescents present themselves in therapy, identifying how distress from abuse can be exhibited in their play, conversation, and behavior. Then, using a carefully balanced combination of psychoanalytic, behavioral, and cognitive therapies, Wieland imparts a psychodynamic trauma-focused therapy designed especially for abused children and adolescents. Including illustrative case examples of play or conversation as well as the therapist's thought processes, the book describes therapy with children, adolescents, and their nonperpetrator or perpetrator parents. Also included is a thoughtful discussion of the effects a therapist's own experiences and internalizations can have on the therapy process. Easy to read yet thought-provoking, Hearing the Internal Trauma is ideal for therapists, social workers, mental health practitioners, and interns working with this client population. Advanced students will also find the book instructional and enlightening.