The Conspiracy of Silence Revisited: Group Therapy with Adult Survivors of Incest
Keywords:
TherapyAbstract
Group therapy is increasingly recognized as a treatment of choice for adult survivors of incest. The client, however, must confront earlier issues when entering the group or deciding to speak, once in the group. Despite wanting to participate, the client may keep silent because of concerns about secrecy, trust, and distrust; family loyalty, compliance, parentification, and family role relationships; denial, dissociation, and identity; the effects of disclosure; intimacy versus isolation; control; and survivor guilt. Resolution of these issues strengthens the client's sense of self. Relevant case examples are cited.
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