The Reading Warehouse

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--Kerry J. Todd, MSW Children??'s Response Center, Bellevue, Washington

Group work is particularly effective with child sexual assault victims because it breaks down their feelings of isolation, builds social skills, teaches appropriate boundary settings, and helps them realize they are normal. This easy-to-follow manual presents techniques for working with groups of children who have been sexually abused. It begins with an overview of the theory and literature of group therapy with children and then offers seven sections of psychosocial skill-building techniques: trust-building, self esteem, identifying and expressing feelings, healing the inner child, relationships, boundary setting, and prevention skills. It concludes with sample outlines for conducting 10-week groups and a bibliography of information on sexual assault. Itis directed to mental health professionals who work with sexually abused children, school counselors and psychologists, workers in group homes, and advanced students in the mental health fields. It will also be helpful to early childhood educators and therapists working with any children, since many of the techniques can be utilized with children of divorce or in bereavement and general self esteem groups.