Working with adult clients who may have experienced childhood abuse: Recommendations for assessment and practice

Carolyn Zerbe Enns, Christine A. Courtois, Karen P. Lese, Jean Campbell, Michael C. Gottlieb, Mary S. Gilbert, Linda Forrest

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The delayed memory debate has generated many questions about therapeutic practices that are likely to be beneficial and detrimental to clients. This article proposes components of optimal practice for working with adult clients who may have been abused as children. The recommendations are organized around the following themes: (a) competence, (b) assessment and treatment planning, (c) psychotherapy process and technique, (d) memory issues, (e) and ethics. The authors emphasize the importance of a collaborative therapeutic relationship and urge clinicians to proceed cautiously when encountering treatment issues for which scientific knowledge and consensus are still evolving.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)245-256
Number of pages12
JournalProfessional Psychology: Research and Practice
Volume29
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Psychology

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