Abstract

The prevalence of childhood sexual abuse in women seeking treatment necessitates that all therapist be able to assess and treat clients with these problems, yet many have not received the necessary training. Beginning therapists are offered guidelines in working with this population which may contrast with traditional theories of intervention. Highlighted are recognizing and detecting sexual abuse in clients, introducing the sexual abuse into treatment, the special requirements of a therapeutic relationship with women who have survived sexual abuse, and dealing with the competing demands of addressing the past trauma and present symptomatology in treatment.