NCJ Number
169322
Date Published
1997
Length
321 pages
Annotation
This volume presents background information and guidelines for mental health professionals who are treating abused adolescents either individually or in groups and is accompanied by an activity manual for adolescents who have been abused physically, sexually, or emotionally.
Abstract
The material is designed for use in open or closed settings and with male, female, or mixed-gender groups. The first chapter reviews adolescent social and sexual development and explains how it is disrupted by trauma. The subsequent chapters present a four-phase approach to recovery that covers building the therapeutic relationship, processing the abuse, repairing the sense of self, and becoming more future-oriented. The discussions of establishing therapeutic rapport focus on image building, goal setting, therapeutic trust, feelings, and boundaries. The chapters on exploration of trauma discuss developing trust and being safe, secrets, nightmares, and memories. Chapters on repairing the sense of self explain the process of letting go of guilt and shame and working through stuck feelings such as sadness and anger. The final chapter focuses on strategies for becoming future-oriented. Case examples, activities, index, and 102 references