Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy After Child Abuse: The Treatment of Adults and Children Who Have Experienced Sexual Abuse, Violence, and Neglect in Childhood

Synopsis:

Edited by Daniel McQueen, Catherine Itzin, Roger Kennedy, Valerie Sinason and Fay Maxted. A coherent and readable narrative review of the current state of knowledge of the effects and role of psychoanalytic psychotherapy in the treatment of children and adults who have experienced childhood abuse and neglect. This book is intended for practitioners of psychiatric, psychological, and psychoanalytic therapies and providers of mental health services to children and adults. It should inform Primary Care Trusts, Children's Services commissioners, and health service providers about theoretical approaches and therapeutic practice involved in psychoanalytic psychotherapy. It includes a review of the evidence for psychoanalytic psychotherapy, and the place of psychoanalytic assessment and psychotherapy in a stepped care psychological therapy service.

Description:

Recent decades have seen an explosion of research into the extent of child abuse and into the effects of early relational trauma on the developing minds and brains of children. The lasting effects on survivors are increasingly recognized and can be addressed psychotherapeutically.

This book is unique in two ways. Firstly, in bringing together for the first time the considerable scientific evidence of effectiveness and the vast body of accumulated clinical experience using psychoanalytical approaches in the treatment of people who have experienced childhood abuse. Secondly, in being the product of the widest collaboration of individuals and organizations concerned about the effects of child abuse, and experts on child abuse and psychotherapy. These include experts by experience, survivor groups, activists, academics, and clinicians: paediatricians, physicians, child and adult psychiatrists, psychoanalysts, psychologists, and psychoanalytic psychotherapists.

Sections cover:
- the epidemiology of child abuse
- different aspects of child abuse
- health consequences in children and adults
- memories of abuse and the recovered memories controversy
- high risk groups
- gender
- domestic violence
- how early relational trauma interferes with early development and leads to disturbed attachment
- impaired emotional regulation
- dissociation

‘Psychoanalytic psychotherapy is one of many possible treatments proven to be helpful to people who have experienced sexual and physical abuse and neglect in their childhood. It has not proved possible to predict reliably who will respond to which specific psychotherapy. Different individuals will be able to benefit from different approaches and treatments at different stages of their lives, depending on their wishes, circumstances, level of support, and need. There is considerable scientific evidence of effectiveness and a considerable body of accumulated clinical experience using psychoanalytical approaches in the treatment of people who have experienced childhood sexual, physical, and emotional abuse and neglect. This guideline brings together this evidence for the first time.’
- From the Introduction

Notes about the author(s):

Roger Kennedy is a psychoanalyst in private practice, a training analyst and President of the British Psychoanalytical Society. He is Consultant Psychiatrist at the Family Unit, Cassel Hospital, and author of nine previous books, including Psychotherapists as Expert Witnesses (2005), and The Many Voices of Psychoanalysis (2007). He is also a published poet.

Catherine Itzin was Emerita Professor in Mental Health Policy, University of Lincoln, United Kingdom until her death on March 9th 2010.

Valerie Sinason is currently President of the Institute for Psychotherapy and Disability and Director of the Clinic for Dissociative Studies.