Product Description

This updated and expanded edition provides comprehensive coverage of the theory and practice of counselling survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA). In a reasoned and thoughtful approach, common stereotypes of abusers and their victims are replaced with current knowledge on the incidence of CSA and its long-term impacts on adult survivors. Christiane Sanderson explores the therapeutic relationship from building trust and meeting the client's needs to establishing boundaries, addressing transference issues and avoiding secondary traumatic stress. She evaluates various treatment approaches and techniques, and discusses the advantages and disadvantages of group therapy. Stand-alone chapters provide indepth coverage of: CSA's impact on survivors' sense of self and their relationships with others; self-harming behaviour, including self-injury, substance abuse and eating disorders; how memory is constructed and reconstructed, including the controversial issues surrounding recovered memories; useful approaches to coping with fear and loss from working with other types of trauma; normal sexual development and typical sexual difficulties for survivors; and working with shame and dissociation. "Counselling Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse" honestly addresses the complex issues in this important area of work. It provides practical strategies for those new to counselling in this field and valuable new insights for experienced counsellors.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #176565 in Books
• Published on: 2006-06-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 447 pages

Review
"'Counselling Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse addresses the myths and mysteries while propelling a lifeline to both the health professional and the adult survivor. This is probably the most complete book on sexual abuse in publication.' - Nursing Ethics '...this excellent book...strikes a good balance between theory, data and practical advice for workers and includes illustrative case material and practical strategies for counsellors... It conveys both the experiences of survivors and the enormous amount that can be achieved. It is a stimulating and optimistic book which would be suitable for all workers in this important area.' - Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health"

About the Author
Christiane Sanderson is a lecturer in Psychology at London University, Birkbeck College, and Consultant in the School of Psychology and Therapeutic Studies, University of Surrey, Roehampton. With 15 years' experience working in the child sexual abuse field, she has run workshops for parents, teachers, social workers, nurses, therapists and counsellors to increase knowledge and awareness of CSA. She is the author of The Seduction of Children, also published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Customer Reviews

review by Miriam Landor (educational psychologist)
Impact and effects
Counselling Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse (3rd edn)
CHRISTIANE SANDERSON
LONDON: JESSICA KINGSLEY: 2006; Ps £25.00 (ISBN 978 1 853 10 335
REVIEWED BY Miriam Landor
THE third edition of this helpful book is shaped by current research and the author's clinical experience and links current knowledge in
child sexual abuse (CSA) with its impact and long-term effects. The aim is to explore
how clinicians can best work with presenting symptoms. The key message is that
CSA and its impact will vary enormously between
individuals. and that each experience is unique. There is a wide range of CSA acts. and
the child's age and temperament,the relationship of the child to the abuser and the quality of the child's other interpersonal relationships will contribute to how CSA is experienced and processed and to what meaning is attributed.
There are therefore many different long-term effects of CSA some of which may contrast sharply with others. The author warns against making premature assumptions which could contaminate the survivor's material. Counsellors should develop a good understanding of recurring
themes whilst retaining the sense of each individual's experience.
The first four chapters of the book deal with general understanding of CSA and its impact and long-term effects,and of adult survivors and how
to work with them. Different therapeutic models are discussed, with a clear emphasis on the importance of communication and empathic
attunement. There follow chapters on key specific issues surrounding CSA - trauma, dissociation, memory. self-harm, the shattered self, shame and sexuality. Finally there is a
chapter on professional issues. There is a great deal to take in, as the book has over 400
pages, but the effort is well worthwhile.

Miriam Landor is an
educational psychologist.

Reviewed by Harry Stoyles
There has been a large increase in awareness, knowledge and understanding of the issues that permeate childhood sexual abuse (CSA), both within the counselling field and the public. Much of this is down to the work of researchers and writers, such as Christiane. who strive to bring together and report into the public domain what life is, like, long term, for a survivor of CSA and the issues they have.

This book successfully juxtaposes data, current and previous research, and a comprehensive range of theory, providing the reader with a wealth of information and practical strategies that can be employed to best effect when working with CSA.
It frequently utilises case material from survivors, whose stories serve not only to complement research papers and theoretical aspects of counselling, such as erotic transference, but also to bring to life for the reader the impact CSA has on their lives. I particularly liked the section that looks at the effect such work has on the counsellor, the professional issues the counsellor needs to be mindful of. and the need for self care. Something we tell our clients to do, but often fail to heed.
There is much new material in this updated edition, such as in-depth chapters on self-harming behaviour, memory, sexuality and many more -- all serving to provide the reader with a book. that, despite the subject matter, is easy to read, follow and understand.
In my opinion this book will be of great value to those already working with CSA survivors and essential for those who are considering such work.

Reviewed by Harry Stoyles
Counsellor. Bradford Cancer Support Centre. private counsellor and school counsellor.

Fantastic
An absolute must for those who are counselling Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. The book is easy to read and very well laid out.I have found it extremely useful.