Moving On After Childhood Sexual Abuse ─ Understanding the Effects and Preparing for Therapy

This self-help guide allows those who have experienced childhood sexual abuse to consider the impact that it has had on their adult lives from a new perspective, helping them to understand the effects, and prepare for therapy.

Based on known reactions to physical and emotional trauma, the book explains how a broad range of difficulties in adulthood can result from sexual abuse in childhood. The reader is invited to think about how psychological therapy can be particularly helpful in reducing these difficulties and promoting change. Ground rules for therapy are provided, as well as guidance on how to get the most from the therapy process.

Moving On After Childhood Sexual Abuse provides a clear explanation of the developmental effects of childhood sexual abuse as well as the role of psychological therapy. This book will therefore assist the reader in making informed decisions about seeking treatment and setting personal goals for therapy, as well as appreciating the demands involved in the process of change.

Dr Jonathan Willows is a Chartered Clinical Psychologist, working in the NHS.

Part I: Childhood Sexual Abuse, An Introduction and Overview. Introduction: About This Book and How to Use It. Childhood Sexual Abuse – A Definition and Overview. The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse Upon the Individual. Beyond the Individual, Child Sexual Abuse and Society. Review and Exercise. Part II: Childhood Sexual Abuse and Child Development. An Introduction to Child Development. Models of Child Development. What Happens if Things Go Wrong? Risk Factors and a Useful Summary. Review and Exercise. Part III: Childhood Sexual Abuse and Adulthood. Introduction. Symptoms and Diagnoses. Focus on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Focus on Personality Disorder. Putting it all Together – A Joined Up Approach. Review and Exercise. Part IV: Psychological Therapy. Introduction. Psychological Therapies. Some Ground-rules for Psychological Therapy. More Issues to Consider Before Starting Therapy. Review and Some Final Thoughts. Further Information, Links and Contacts.