Synopses & Reviews
Occasionally a book for psychotherapists instantly becomes a classic. Not only do clinicians recognize the excellence and importance of the book, but their clients respond enthusiastically to the accurate portrayal of their experiences and the model for healing. With the publication of , such a classic was born. Incest is not a rare aberrant happening, but a common childhood experience for a substantial minority of children. Since incest is generally hidden and denied, the victims are left to cope with their reactions in an atmosphere that contradicts their reality. Yet all incest is not the same; for instance, one-time fondling by an uncle has different effects from rapes repeated over many years by a stepfather. The book describes these variations and the symptoms, short-term aftereffects, and long-term secondary elaborations of incest from four theoretical perspectives: traumatic stress, developmental, feminist, and loss. The author not only comprehensively discusses the salient issues of incest therapy but also illustrates these with numerous case studies, showing how incest survivors can heal and build a core of self-respect and dignity.
Synopsis
Incest is not a rare aberrant happening, but a common childhood experience for a substantial minority of children. Since incest is generally hidden and denied, the victims are left to cope with their reactions in an atmosphere that contradicts their reality. Yet all incest is not the same; for instance, one-time fondling by an uncle has different effects from rapes repeated over many years by a stepfather. The book describes these variations and the symptoms, short-term aftereffects, and long-term secondary elaborations of incest from four theoretical perspectives: traumatic stress, developmental, feminist, and loss. The author not only comprehensively discusses the salient issues of incest therapy but also illustrates these with numerous case studies, showing how incest survivors can heal and build a core of self-respect and dignity.
Synopsis
Understanding and treating adult victims of incest.
Synopsis
'Highly recommended as an authoritative text on incest and its treatment' and 'essential reading for all therapists,' Healing the Incest Woundwas a groundbreaking book that put incest studies and treatment on the map. Now, almost 20 years later, this bestselling text is fully updated, offering the most current studies and findings on incest typologies, dynamics, and treatment strategies. Drawing on cutting-edge research on incest and other forms of child abuse, it includes attention to their neurological, attachment, affective, and dissociative sequelae. Courtois'"a veteran practitioner and an expert in complex traumatic stress disorders resulting from chronic child abuse'"presents a comprehensive revision to this classic treatment manual for therapists.
Synopsis
Almost twenty years after the publication of the first edition, our knowledge of how to effectively treat incest victims has grown tremendously. Drawing on the latest research, Christine Courtois presents a fully updated treatment manual for therapists.
Synopsis
A comprehensive guide to the dynamics of incest and to therapy for survivors.
About the Author
Christine A. Courtois, Ph.D., is a psychologist in private practice in Washington, DC. She is President-elect of APA Division 56, Trauma Psychology, and Associate Editor of Psychological Trauma: Research, Theory, Practice & Policy. Dr. Courtois conducts workshops nationally and internationally on the treatment of incest and other forms of sexual assault, and is the recipient of numerous awards for her work.