Factors Influencing the Degree and Pattern of Parental Involvement in Play Therapy for Sexually Abused Children

Abstract

Although much has been written about the role of therapists in children's recovery from child sexual abuse, relatively little attention has been paid to the role of nonoffending parents. This study investigated the work of a team of therapists who sometimes included such parents in therapy sessions with children. The study sought to understand what factors were influencing the degree and pattern of parental involvement and to understand what effect these patterns of parental involvement were having on the process and outcomes of therapy. The study successfully identified a range of factors influencing the patterns of parental involvement, but more research will be needed to understand the effect on outcomes.

KEYWORDS:

• child sexual abuse
• play therapy
• parents

This study is based on a doctoral dissertation.