Professional and Treatment Issues for Clinicians Who Intervene With Incest Perpetrators (From Incest Perpetrator: A Family Member No One Wants To Treat, P 169-189, Anne L. Horton, Barry L. Johnson, et al, eds. -- See NCJ-121328)

• NCJ Number: 121339
• Author(s): L M Roundy; A L Horton
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 21 pages
• Sale Source: Sage Publications, Inc
• Publication Type: Issue Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Mental health professionals who treat incest offenders need to become aware of the unique and clinically challenging treatment issues that are brought to treatment by the therapist and by the client.

Abstract

They should also recognize that victims and other family members generally receive supportive forms of treatment, while perpetrators receive punitive interventions. However, many families want to reunite and need treatment that focuses on family relationships and processes. To be effective, clinicians must first become aware of and resolve personal biases and issues that might negatively affect objective clinical work with perpetrators. They should also anticipate and work to reduce burnout, establish a support network of other clinicians, establish realistic clinical expectations, be honest, and avoid bargaining away court involvement in the treatment process. They should also recognize and address possible symptoms in perpetrators, including confusion of sex and love, sexual identity conflicts, sexual addiction, previous history of abuse, substance abuse, poor stress management skills, poor social skills, low impulse control at home, self-deception, low self-esteem, depression, and paranoia. 29 references.