How Do Adult Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse Experience Formally Delivered Talking Therapy? A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

This systematic review explored how adult survivors of child sexual abuse experienced nonspecific and trauma-focused talking therapies. Following extensive systematic searches of academic databases, 23 qualitative empirical studies were chosen for review. Using a line-by-line thematic synthesis, four analytical themes developed. These themes were: The Therapeutic Process as a Means for Forming Connections, which discusses therapeutic relationships; Developing a Sense of Self Through the Therapeutic Processes, which identifies stages of developmental recovery; Therapeutic Lights and Black Holes in the Shadows of child sexual abuse, which reflects on how a history of child sexual abuse influenced experiences of therapy; and Healing or Harrowing: Connecting With Others and First-time Experiences, which explores what was helpful, hindering, and new throughout the therapeutic journey. Findings related to participants developing new options for interpersonal relationships through the experience of authentic trust and the experiential learning of control and choice. Recommendations are discussed in relation to developing therapeutic practice and future research.

KEYWORDS:

• choices
• control
• psychotherapy
• reconnecting
• safety
• therapeutic relationships
• trust

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank all the authors of the reviewed studies who provided further details of their work and encouragement throughout this process, particularly Dr. Sally Palmer and Dr. Zoë Chouliara. The authors would especially like to thank Dr. Mike Lloyd for his valuable feedback and support during this study.

Notes

¹ Only survivor quotes were used in the review.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarah Parry

Sarah Parry is a clinical psychologist and senior lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her current research interests include exploring how people heal following trauma and the narratives people develop around dissociative experiences. She received her DClinPsy from the University of Lancaster.

Jane Simpson

Jane Simpson is an academic and clinical psychologist with a significant publication record in the psychology of chronic illness. She is also interested in people’s experiences of any care system and the difficulties health care systems have of adapting to the needs of people with different care needs. She is currently director of education in the Division of Health Research at Lancaster University.