Therapists' Affective Reactions to Working with Adult Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT

This article describes research designed to identify therapists' affective reactions to working with adult survivors of child sexual abuse, and the factors which influence these reactions. The most common responses were feelings of being overwhelmed by the work, vulnerability in personal relationships, and rage, sadness, and horror regarding survivors' abuse. Virtually none of the characteristics associated with the therapists themselves, their practice settings or their caseload influenced their reactions. Subjects' affective reactions did vary by several characteristics associated with the survivors and their victimization. This was particularly true of survivors diagnosed with MPD, those who had been abused beginning at a young age, and survivors presenting themselves for treatment as perpetrators.