The role of psychotherapists in creating change for survivors of sexual violence can extend far wider than the rooms in which appointments are provided. Psychotherapy with Survivors of Sexual Violence aims to provide psychotherapists with practical guidance that will enable them to work with the prolific societal issue of sexual violence, both in the privacy of clinical practice and the wider world as activists. Erene Hadjiioannou outlines the components of relational psychotherapy necessary to counter the trauma that brings survivors to services, with a particular focus on empowerment and the freedoms that constitute it.
Key Features
- Definition of neurophysiological systems involved in surviving traumatic experiences.
- Insight into common psychological presentations, including post-traumatic stress disorder.
- Examination of barriers to accessing support and the myths surrounding them.
- Inclusion of interview quotes from a range of survivors.
- Fictional case studies to illustrate key concepts.
Additional Information
Hadjiioannou explains the long-standing challenges of delivering psychotherapy to survivors who have reported to the police from various perspectives: understanding the criminal justice system, note-keeping, and survivors’ experiences of reporting. The book will be a key text for psychotherapists of all backgrounds working with survivors, and for mental health professionals in training.
