Theoretical Paper: A trainee counselling psychologist’s considerations in CBT-informed practice with adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse

Abstract

Content and FocusThis paper has emerged from my experience and developing practice of working integratively with survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It aims to raise key considerations to make in practicing from a CBT-informed rather than a CBT-led perspective with survivors.ConclusionsIt argues for the centrality of the therapeutic relationship as a foundation within which all therapeutic work occurs with survivors. It advocates practitioners to strive for a balance between process-led and client-led integrative choices in therapy and emphasises the importance of safe trauma practice through developing the survivors’ functional coping strategies before calling forth traumatic memories. Contributions and limitations of a CBT approach with survivors are discussed, and building integrative practices with different traditions as a goal for counselling psychologists is encouraged.