Ways to Treat Victims of Human Trafficking: Core Therapeutic Tasks

Abstract

This paper enumerates the core psychotherapeutic tasks that need to be implemented in the treatment of victims of human trafficking. Those core tasks build upon the survival skills and coping strategies and bolster the resilience of participants of human trafficking. The major focus is on the development, maintenance, and monitoring of the therapeutic alliance. Additional psychotherapeutic tasks include motivational interviewing; collaborative goal setting that nurtures hope; psychoeducation; intra- and interpersonal skills training; and the need for the therapist to become an advocate. A strength-based constructive narrative approach is employed to help clients emotionally process the lingering impact of any victimization experiences.