Mental health: counselling sexual abuse survivors

Some nurses are now becoming involved in helping adult survivors of child sexual abuse to overcome problems caused by an early abusive relationship. Developing a therapeutic partnership between victim and counsellor is a fundamental part of resolving such problems. Using a psychodynamic perspective, the author examines the effects of child sexual abuse on female survivors, and discusses the benefits of group therapy and individual counselling in helping the survivor to come to terms with the abuse.