> Use of Existential Therapy in Treatment of Sexual Abuse Victims
As noted by Sue, Sue and Sue (1994), programs, interventions, and treatments identifying themselves as existential can differ quite a bit in terms of therapeutic goals and strategies, although they all retain an essentially humanistic perspective. The variance in programs can be seen through examination of different existential interventions.
Regarding one of these interventions, Giarretto (1982) discussed an existential type of treatment method developed by the directors of the Child Sexual Abuse Treatment Program of Santa Clara County (CSATP), California. According to Giarretto, the CSATP has provided familial and extrafamilial therapy to over 4,000 children and their families as well as to adults who were abused as children. The majority of cases involved father-daughter incest.
The program is composed of three interdependent components: a professional staff, a cadre of volunteers, and self-help groups. These components are designed to generate a humanistic, growth oriented cl
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