Presents an innovative approach to the confusions and dilemmas experienced by families in which incest has occurred. While not all incestuously abused children have the classic diagnostic symptoms of trauma, virtually all experience "relational trauma". Integrating social constructionist, feminist, and systems thinking, this treatment model focuses on strengthening the child's protective relationships, mobilizing families to help resolve the child's emotional and behavioral symptoms, and building resiliency.

A comprehensive guide to the dynamics of incest and to therapy for survivors.

Rising above the polemics surrounding sexual and physical abuse, David and Jill Savege Scharff bring a relational perspective to the integration of psychoanalytic and trauma theories in order to understand the effects of overwhelming physical and psychological trauma, including sexual abuse, injury, and birth defect. The Scharffs draw from their object relations therapy with individuals, families, and couples recovering from trauma and abundance of relevant clinical examples described in their characteristically personal and vivid style.

Karin C. Meiselman presents a new therapeutic approach that enables therapists to recognize, understand, and treat the special needs and problems of incest survivors, ranging from panic attacks and sexual difficulties to chronic depression and destructive relationships. The author explains why effective therapy with incest survivors requires a nurturing therapeutic relationship--and she shows how to develop that relationship and give the ongoing reassurance that victims need in dealing with trauma, overcoming loss and grief, and in taking control of their lives.

This book offers a detailed road map for overcoming sexual and relationship impasses originating from painful childhood experiences. Large numbers of adults with histories of childhood trauma and neglect suffer persistent relationship and sexual difficulties. Unfortunately, most have failed to receive adequate help with emerging from these deep and complex problems. Coming Home to Passion: Restoring Loving Sexuality in Couples with Histories of Childhood Trauma and Neglect explores the enduring impacts—physiological, psychological, and behavioral—of childhood trauma and neglect. Author Ruth Cohn, drawing on 25 years of experience working with trauma survivors and their partners and families, lays out a practical and actionable course for recovery in clear, accessible language. This book provides direction and hope to those with trauma backgrounds while also serving as a unique resource for professional readers. Integrating in-depth information on attachment and relationship, trauma and neglect, and sexuality, Cohn details a practical, hands-on treatment approach for revitalizing love, health, and passion.

"Childhood sexual abuse within the family of origin and society's institutions, such as the church, education, sports, and the world of celebrity, has been neglected as a significant issue by psychoanalysis and society. The incest trauma needs to be understood as one of the most significant problems of contemporary society.This book is an attempt to re-establish incest trauma as a significant psychological disorder by tracing the evolutionary trajectory of psychoanalysis from the Seduction Theory to the Oedipal Therapy to the Confusion of Tongues Theory. By examining the theoretical, emotional, interpersonal, and political issues involved in Freud's abandoning the Seduction Hypothesis and replacing it with the Oedipal Complex, we can see how system building became more important than the emotional welfare of children. In a series of chapters the authors demonstrate this neglect of the incest trauma. Several case studies, using a Relational Perspective informed by the Budapest School of Psychoanalysis, illustrate the need to use the Confusion of Tongues theory of trauma originated by Ferenczi, as well his idea of expanding the analytic method to include non-interpretative measures to successfully analyze the incest trauma."--Provided by publisher.