Transcript 11/16/11 Healing the Wounds: Power Point 3

Practical Strategies for
Working with Victims
Across the Lifespan
Dr. Lilli Perez
Rosemarie Camacho, IMFT
Dr. Patricia Taimanglo
November 16, 2011
ADULT VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
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Sexual Symptoms
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Major Long Term Medical Symptoms
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Major Long Term Psychological
Symptoms
Major Sexual Symptoms of Sexual Assault
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Difficulty with becoming aroused and feeling
sensations;
Sex feels like an obligation;
Sexual thoughts and images are disturbing;
Inappropriate sexual behaviors or sexual
compulsivity;
Vaginal pain;
Inability to achieve orgasm or other orgasmic
difficulties;
Major Sexual Symptoms of Sexual Assault
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Erection problems or ejaculatory difficulty;
Feeling dissociated while having sex;
Detachment or emotional distance while
having sex;
Being afraid of sex or avoiding sex; and
Guilt, fear, anger, disgust or other negative
feelings when being sexual.
Major Long-Term Medical Symptoms
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Insomnia;
Vaginal or pelvic pain;
Eating disorders;
Headaches;
Lower back pain, chest pressure;
Major Long-Term Medical Symptoms
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Erection problems or ejaculatory difficulty;
Asthma;
Dizziness / fainting;
Self-harming / self-mutilation; and
Chronic physical complaints.
Major Long-Term Psychological Symptoms
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Anxiety;
Panic Attacks;
Low self-esteem;
Stress Disorders / PTSD;
Personality Disorder;
Substance abuse; and
Self-Abused behaviors.
Activity
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Reader / Reporter
Read the victim profile.
Others draw pictures, signs & symbols to
represent what is read.
After 10 minutes, a reporter will give
general description of the victim.
Assessment Should Inform Treatment
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Presentation
Age
Affect / mood
Cognitive ability
Adaptive function – communication, selfcare, social skills, working/school, family,
leisure activities, academic function or
education, etc.
Assessment Should Inform Treatment
Community Support/Activities
 Family (family of origin, nuclear, extended);
 Friendships
 Co-workers;
 Sports;
 Work;
 Spiritual; etc.
Assessment Should Inform Treatment
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Development – Early life (1st 3-4 years)
Medical concerns
Relationships
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Family of origin – attachment
Current family
Extended family
Assessment Should Inform Treatment
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Socio-Economic Status
History of mental illness;
History of sexual abuse/trauma;
History of substance abuse;
Assessment Should Inform Treatment
 History
of legal concerns
Charges filed
 Preparing client for court
involvement;
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Treatment
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Advocacy
Supportive Therapy
Powerful short-term therapy
Art Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Medication Therapy
EMDR
Evidenced Based Therapy for Anxiety,
Depression, and Trauma
Narrative Therapy
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Recording memory of event;
Journaling
Art Therapy
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Art pulls out your feelings and makes them
tangible or real so you can see them and
deal with them.
When a person paints something, one can
get an overall feeling of the painting and
the person doing it.
Colors convey much about the experience
and where the individual is in their healing.
Art Therapy
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Self-portraits
Eventually some paint their abuser, body
parts or critical elements of the assault.
Recovery Rituals