NCJ Number
208618
Journal
Sexual Addiction & Compulsivity Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: 2004 Pages: 187-221
Date Published
2004
Length
35 pages
Annotation
This article explores how strategic, solution-focused, and narrative family therapy approaches can be applied to the treatment of sexual abusers and their families.
Abstract
Working with families of sexual abusers is daunting and frequently disappointing work. While many families are torn apart by the actions of sexual abusers, some families seek to recover and be reunited. This article offers an integrated family reunification model helpful to those working with families where sexual abuse and sexual addiction are present. The family reunification model has three parts: disclosure, victim clarification, and the family reunification meeting. The article first focuses on the elements of strategic family therapy as a model that can easily be applied to work with sexual abusers and their families. Solution-focused family therapy is also discussed as a goal-focused, therapeutic, and collaborative approach that develops solutions to problems in an effort to realize client change. Another therapeutic approach, known as narrative family therapy, focuses on the family as the experts in their own lives and the importance of “stories” in the construction of their perspectives of their lives. Both the solution-focused and narrative approaches emphasize a multi-systems model to therapy that involves the whole family in creating and sustaining family changes. A series of case studies illustrate how family reunification takes place over a number of steps involving disclosure of the sexual abuse, victim clarification, and the initial family meeting. Suggestions are offered at each stage of the process and an appendix offers a family reunification checklist for practitioners. Appendix, references