Product Description

Since the recovered memory controversy erupted in 1992, the treatment of adults who report abuse as children has become a high-risk area, with professionals and the media alike alleging that many cases of false memory of abuse are due to improper therapeutic practices. This book provides principles and guidelines for treatment when memories of past abuse are at issue.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1640550 in Books
• Published on: 1999-01-01
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 416 pages

Book Info
Author is a psychologist in private practice, Washington DC. Provides the practicing clinician with information about the controversy of delayed/repressed memory of sexual abuse. Also provides treatment principles and guidelines for working with these issues. DNLM: Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic--therapy.

From the Inside Flap
This book has a two-fold purpose: (1) to provide the practicing clinician with information about the controversy surrounding delayed/repressed memory of sexual abuse and (2) to provide treatment principles and guidelines for working with these issues. The extremely contentious recovered memory controversy erupted in 1992, with critics blaming therapists for creating false memories of abuse through improper and suggestive techniques. Since then the treatment of adults who report abuse as children (whether their memory has been relatively continuous or has been recovered) has become a high-risk area, as numerous lawsuits have been filed alleging false memory of abuse due to suggestive therapeutic practices. In this climate, clinicians have become fearful, cautious, and confused about how to practice responsibly with this population. Since a large percentage of those seeking psychotherapy have a history of sexual abuse, all clinicians need a clear articulation of the current evolving standard of care for clients reporting memories of abuse. Drawing together material from many sources, this book provides state-of-the-art principles and guidelines for treatment when memories of past abuse are at issue. It covers available empirical and clinical data on human memory processes for normal and traumatic events and on the treatment of posttraumatic conditions in general and child sexual abuse in particular; the critiques and concerns voiced by cognitive psychologists who investigate memory and suggestibility issues; the recommendations made by a number of professional task forces and advisory committees charged with studying the issues involved in the controversy and making recommendations for practice; and the recommendations of expert clinicians and clinical researchers. Especially useful is Courtois's application of the treatment decision model to a range of clinical scenarios, from continuous, corroborated memory of abuse to suspicions of abuse based on symptomatology. Speaking with authority and empathy, Courtois shows clinicians how to practice responsibly and safely while doing memory work. Her guidance is invaluable.

About the Author
Christine A. Courtois, Ph.D., is a psychologist in private practice in Washington, DC, and clinical director of The CENTER: Post-traumatic Disorders Program, The Psychiatric Institute of Washington. She conducts workshops nationally and internationally on the treatment of incest and other forms of sexual assault. She is the author of Healing the Incest Would: Adult Survivors in Therapy and Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse and co-editor of a special issue of The Counseling Psychologist on the topic of victimization. Dr. Courtois has served as an appointed member to the American Psychological Association Working Group on the Investigation of Memories of Childhood Abuse (1993-1996) and the Presidential Task Force on Family Violence (1994-1996). She is the recipient of the American Psychological Association Award for Distinguished Professional Contributions to Applied Psychology as a Professional Practice (1996), The American Psychological Association Division 17 John D. Black Practitioner Award (1995), and the Division 17 Committee on Women "Woman of the Year" Award (1994).