Long-term Group Psychotherapy for Women Who Are Survivors of Childhood Abuse

LONG-TERM GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY is an important and potentially healing component of a multimodal therapeutic approach for women who are survivors of childhood abuse. The conceptual framework presented is derived from portions of different models of group therapy and abuse dynamics. Interactions of the members of the group and the interventions of the co-therapists are illustrated. The clinical dilemmas encountered by the therapists are depicted. Significant issues of group process and recovery are addressed.

Individuals who suffer the long-term effects of childhood abuse present a major public health problem. Numerous studies indicate that two-thirds of the female patients receiving psychiatric care reported a history of early physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse (Chu, 1990). Judith Lewis Herman (1992) in her book Trauma and Recovery stated, “Because these traumas affect every aspect of human functioning, treatment must be comprehensive. There is no single efficacious ‘magic bullet’ for the traumatic syndromes” (p. 156). It is vital, therefore, to provide a survivor of childhood abuse a variety of therapeutic approaches if mental health clinicians are to deliver effective treatment. Chestnut Lodge recognizes group therapy as a powerful and effective