Female Sexual Abuse Survivors and the Therapeutic Relationship

Female Sexual Abuse Survivors and the Therapeutic Relationship by Tracy Hollingworth MS, Capella University, 2013 BS, University of New Mexico, 2008 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University December 2020 Abstract Childhood abuse can impact the survivors’ life in many ways. Children learn various skills from their caregivers, such as the tools needed to develop and maintain healthy relationships. When a child is abused by their caregiver, there can be a drastic impact on how the child perceives the world, and the therapeutic relationship is important in the healing process. This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study explored the lived experiences of therapists who work with adult women who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse to better understand the effects that childhood sexual abuse has on the therapeutic relationship. The theoretical base for the study was attachment theory that was conceptualized within a traumatic framework. Participants were recruited through online media forums and with the use of flyers posted at local counseling offices in the metro area of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Eight therapists who self-identified as meeting the criteria for this study were recruited and interviewed in-person; the data was analyzed by hand. Five themes emerged during the analysis: the enhancing effects of disclosure, seeking to empower clients, the client’s emotional distress, negative feelings and loss of self, and ability to maintain boundaries. This study contributes to provide avenues for social change by developing awareness and education resources for therapists to increase their effectiveness of treatment and develop ways in which support can be employed to serve the affected population through education and rapport building. This in turn has the potential of increasing successful treatment outcomes, which allows clients to build better external positive, healthy relationships.Childhood abuse can impact the survivors’ life in many ways. Children learn various skills from their caregivers, such as the tools needed to develop and maintain healthy relationships. When a child is abused by their caregiver, there can be a drastic impact on how the child perceives the world, and the therapeutic relationship is important in the healing process. This interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study explored the lived experiences of therapists who work with adult women who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse to better understand the effects that childhood sexual abuse has on the therapeutic relationship. The theoretical base for the study was attachment theory that was conceptualized within a traumatic framework. Participants were recruited through online media forums and with the use of flyers posted at local counseling offices in the metro area of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Eight therapists who self-identified as meeting the criteria for this study were recruited and interviewed in-person; the data was analyzed by hand. Five themes emerged during the analysis: the enhancing effects of disclosure, seeking to empower clients, the client’s emotional distress, negative feelings and loss of self, and ability to maintain boundaries. This study contributes to provide avenues for social change by developing awareness and education resources for therapists to increase their effectiveness of treatment and develop ways in which support can be employed to serve the affected population through education and rapport building. This in turn has the potential of increasing successful treatment outcomes, which allows clients to build better external positive, healthy relationships. Female Sexual Abuse Survivors and the Therapeutic Relationship by Tracy Hollingworth MS, Capella University, 2013 BS, University of New Mexico, 2008 Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Clinical Psychology Walden University December 2020 Acknowledgements A multitude of appreciation and gratitude goes to the members of my committee, my friends, my family and those individuals who participated in my study. I cannot thank all of you enough for assisting me in fulfilling my dreams. To my chair, Dr. Xuereb: thank you for not only supporting me but also for believing in me. Thank you for guiding me throughout this journey and sharing your insight and knowledge. To Dr. Meyer and Dr. Goldstein: thank you for being a part of my committee. I appreciate all of the feedback and encouragement that you provided me. To my parents, Edward and Vivien Hollingworth: thank you for understanding the time this process has taken and supporting me throughout, I could not have done this without you both. To my friends: thank you for standing by me and encouraging me in this journey. As you know, there were many times that I wanted to throw in the towel and you all believed in me and helped me believe in myself.