Re:Human sexual behavior

How do you know about his previous behaviour????

You are coming up with scenarios that could happen, how does that help your client? You could come up with all kinds of scenarios.

You said you are a trauma specialist but not well informed on sexual issues (not your exact words). Having experienced a variety of forms of abuse including sexual assault/abuse I can make a number of suggestions and provide some insight from my perspective. First of all, if you are not sure how to help this client deal with her issues or if you feel you don't have adequate training then, please, refer her to someone you know has the training. Perhaps this might be in conjunction with working with you. An EMDR therapist, for example, might be a good idea. Second, from my understanding of trauma - the reactions/responses to trauma are somewhat similar across a variety of kinds of trauma and you may have more ability and skill to help your client than you realize. Discuss all of this openly with your client, the amount of trust she has in you may be the key factor. Perhaps you can learn together.

Also, I don't know exactly what she has revealed that makes you thing there was sexual abuse on the part of her father. I would be careful here. I have experienced sexual assault and abuse and I have had experienced other forms of abuse. In talking about my family/parents, one might wonder if there was sexual abuse for which I have no memory. However, that is not necessarily so. There were other events, traumas, experiences which affected me at a deep level and crated many problems for me - however my father did not sexually abuse me.

Also, if you feel a need for this and if the client is aware of the need - perhaps she needs to get in touch with her feelings, what does she feel inside, the warning signals her body gives her and so on. Plus, it is quite possible she needs to do some work around boundaries. Those two have gone hand in hand for me. I was okay in some settings and not in others etc.

The main thing is to find out how the clients feels about what has happened, not just what she thinks, and what she wants to do about it. What is her inner reaction and feelings, what is her body telling her and what does she want. Sometimes it takes a while to figure that all out.

I think that is all I had to say. Hope it helps. Just remember, put the clients health first and if you don't have the knowledge and skill to help her then gain that skill and/or refer her on.

Replies:

Re:Human sexual behavior, by Dennis, 05/15/02 Re:Human sexual behavior, by Dennis, 05/15/02 Dennis - Re:Human sexual behavior , by curious, 05/15/02

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