This paper examines existential therapy for victims of childhood sexual abuse. The paper begins with a brief report on the incidence and effects of childhood sexual as well as a short overview of the basic objectives and strategies of the existential theory of therapy. This is followed by a delineation and discussion of various interventions utilizing existential principals and theory as their conceptual foundation. The paper ends with a formulation of conclusions based on the reviewed literature.
Existential Theory For Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse
Incidence and Effects of Childhood Sexual Abuse
According to Allgeier and Allgeier (1992) between fourteen and twenty-one percent of Americans (mostly women) have suffered sexual abuse as children. Moreover, these figures are believed to be underestimates due to fears many people have about reporting the crime. Papalia and Olds (1992) report that the long terms effects of childhood sexual abuse are serious producing adults who are often fearful, anxious, depressed, angry, hostile, or aggressive. These people tend to suffer from low self-esteem. They do not trust people easily, and usually feel isolated and stigmatized. Commonly, there is sexual maladjustment.
Many therapeutic interventions have been used to assist people who suffered childhood sexual abuse, one of which is existential therapy. Existential therapy, according to Barocas, Riechman and Schwebel (1993) is a therapeutic philosophy based on the philosophical movement that developed in France during World War II.
Interested in perception and cognition, the existential movement focused on psycho-perceptual variables such as the moment of experience, consciousness, and being. Applied to psychology, the existential philosophy or approach emphasizes immediate experience and the process of becoming a fully functional and satisfied human being (Barocas, Riechman & Schwebel, 1993).
With respect to...