Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Healing Through Group Work - Beyond Survival

Contents Foreword (Stephen Gilligan) * Preface * Acknowledgments * Introduction * Living Through the Legacy * Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Working Definition * The Impact of Childhood Sexual Abuse * Between Wellness and Pathology * Childhood Sexual Abuse and University/College Women * The Nature of Change in Therapy * Group Work: The Rationale and Potential Benefits * The Benefits of Group Work with Women Who Experienced Childhood Sexual Abuse * The Nature of Language: Hindrance or Healing? * From Victim to Survivor Identity? * Naming the Group: Beyond Survival * When Language and Experience Resonate: A Look at Theoretical Frameworks * Advertising and Promotion of the Group * Prescreening Process and Questionnaire * The Prescreening Interview * Group Sessions * Session One--The Journey: Getting Started * Introduction * The Milton Erickson Story * Honoring the Group * Large-Group Exercise * Discussion * Writing Exercise * Exploring Hopes and Concerns * Healing Symbols * Closing * Session Two--A Topography for Safety and Strength * Beginning * Highlights * Healing symbols: Large-Group Exercise * Visualization Exercise: Steps to Relaxation and Safety * Solution-Focused Recovery Scale by Yvonne Dolan * Accessing Safety and Security: An Exercise * Journal Time: Letter to a Friend * Closing * Session Three--Boundaries: The Lines Between Self and Others * Introduction * Relaxation * Group Discussion: What Is This Notion of Boundaries? * Exercising Boundaries: An Exercise for Dyads * Having Boundaries: What Is It All About (Mini-Lecture and Discussion) * Themes in Maintaining Boundaries * Visualization of a Place of Comfort and Security * Closing * Session Four--Building Strength: Cultivating Resourcefulness * Introduction * Beyond Surviving: What About Thriving? (Journal Time) * Preparation for Sessions Five Through Eight * Dealing with Flashbacks: A Mini Educational Presentation * Giving Voice to a Personal Story * Closing * Sessions Five Through Eight--Giving Voice to a Personal Story * Session Five * Sessions Six Through Eight * Session Eight: Last Session of Storytelling * Session Nine--Anger and Power: Allies in the Making * Introduction * Debrief Exercise: Words from the "Older, Wiser" Self * Read Aloud * Anger and Power * Some Components of Anger * The Five Freedoms * The Verdict: Healing Exercise * Closing * Session Ten--Consolidating a Sense of Self * Debrief Exercise: The Verdict--Reliquishing Self-Blame, Restoring Dignity * Mini-Lecture: A Sense of Self--What Does It Mean? * Soul Care: A Box * Closing * Session Eleven--Relationships and Trust: For the Health of It * Introduction * Exercises * Mini-Lecture: Cycle of Violence * Healing Exercise: Cultivating a Future--A Collage (To Do at Home) * Community Resources * Closing * Session Twelve--Honoring the Quest for Spirituality * Introduction * Markers of Spirituality * Taking Inventory * The Purple Stone Exercise * Making Room for Spirituality * Closing * Session Thirteen--Celebration of Life: Cultivating a Future and Closing Ritual * Introduction * Debrief Exercise: A Collage of Cultivating the Future * Acknowledgment of Each Other * Closure * Self-Care and the Therapist: Creating a Context for Renewal * Introduction * Signs and Wonderings: The Need for Renewal * Countertransference: The Messenger of Self-Care * Living from the Well: A Parable * View from the Therapist's Chair * Resiliency : A Look at the Person of the Therapist * Cultivating Spirituality * Attending to the Soul * The Preservation of Self * Matters of the Mind, Body, and Soul * Supervision * The Personal Self * Cultivating an Attitude of Self-Care * Bibliography * Index