Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Solution-Oriented Therapy for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Their Partners

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Contemporary Family Therapy Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Research suggests that survivors of sexual assault are not only significant in their numbers, but also struggle with a variety of negative outcomes following assault. Further, female survivors of sexual assault often report significant challenges to their sexual and relationship functioning following sexual assault. While cognitive behavioral models of treatment have been successful in treating posttraumatic stress symptoms, this manuscript suggests that a solution-oriented framework for working therapeutically with survivors of sexual assault and their partners may offer another treatment option. This solution-oriented framework seeks to access and amplify positive outcomes and opportunities for growth within relationships. Suggestions for intervention are provided.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Basile, K., Black, M. C., Simon, T., Arias, I., Brener, N. D., & Saltzman, E. (2006). The association between self-reported lifetime history of forced sexual intercourse and recent health-risk behaviors: Findings from the 2003 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey. Journal of Adolescent Health, 39(5), e1–e7. doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2006.06.001.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Becker, J. V. (1984). Time limited therapy with sexually dysfunctional and sexually assaulted women. Journal of Social Work and Human Sexuality, 3(1), 97–115.

    Google Scholar 

  • Becker, J. V., Skinner, L. J., Abel, G. G., & Treacy, E. C. (1982). Incidence and types of sexual dysfunctions in rape and incest victims. Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, 8(1), 65–74.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Beebe, D. K., Gulledge, K. M., Lee, C. M., & Replogle, W. (1994). Prevalence of sexual assault among women patients seen in family practice clinics. Family Practice Research Journal, 14(3), 223–228.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Borja, S. E., Callahan, J. L., & Long, P. J. (2006). Positive and negative adjustment and social support of sexual assault survivors. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 19(6), 905–914. doi:10.1002/jts.20169.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Brener, N. D., McMahon, P. M., Warren, C. W., & Douglas, K. A. (1999). Forced sexual intercourse and associated health-risk behaviors among female college students in the United States. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67(2), 252–259. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.67.2.252.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Burgess, A. W., & Holmstrom, L. L. (1979). Rape: Sexual disruption and recovery. American Journal of Orthopsychiatry, 49(4), 648–657.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Connop, V., & Petrak, J. (2004). The impact of sexual assault on heterosexual couples. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 19(1), 29–38. doi:10.1080/14681990410001640817.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Corcoran, J., & Pillai, V. (2009). A review of the research on solution-focused therapy. British Journal of Social Work, 39, 234–242. doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcm098.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • de Shazer, S. (1985). Keys to solution in brief therapy. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Shazer, S., Berg, I. K., Lipchik, E., Nunnally, E., Molnar, A., Gingerich, W., et al. (1986). Brief therapy: Focused solution development. Family Process, 25(2), 207–221.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics. (2011). Criminal Victimization, 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2012 from http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv10.pdf.

  • Elklit, A., & Christiansen, D. (2010). ASD and PTSD in rape victims. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 25(8), 1470–1488. doi:10.1177/0886260509354587.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Feldman-Summers, S., Gordon, P. E., & Meagher, J. R. (1979). The impact of rape on sexual satisfaction. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 88(1), 101–105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Foa, E. B., Rothbaum, B. O., Riggs, D. S., & Murdock, T. B. (1991). Treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder in rape victims: A comparison between cognitive-behavioral procedures and counseling. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 59(5), 715–723.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Fraser, J. S. (1995). Process, problems, and solutions in brief therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 21(3), 265–279.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frazier, P. (2003). Perceived control and distress following sexual assault: A longitudinal test of a new model. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 84(6), 1257–1269. doi:10.1037/0022-3514.84.6.1257.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Frazier, P., Conlon, A., & Glaser, T. (2001). Positive and negative life changes following sexual assault. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 69(6), 1048–1055. doi:10.1037/0022-006X.69.6.1048.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gidycz, C. A., Orchowski, L. M., King, C. R., & Rich, C. L. (2008). Sexual victimization and health-risk behaviors: A prospective analysis of college women. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23(6), 744–763. doi:10.1177/0886260507313944.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, J. S. (2008). Examining the effectiveness of solution-focused brief therapy: A meta-analysis. Research on Social Work Practice, 18(2), 107–116. doi:10.1177/1049731507307807.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiser, D. J., Piercy, F. P., & Lipchik, E. (1993). The integration of emotion in solution-focused therapy. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 19(3), 233–242.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lebowitz, L. (1993). Treatment of rape trauma: Integrating trauma-focused therapy with feminism. The Journal of Training & Practice in Professional Psychology, 7(1), 81–99.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lipchik, E., & de Shazer, S. (1986). The purposeful interview. Journal of Strategic and Systemic Therapies, 5, 88–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maltz, W. (2002). Treating the sexual intimacy concerns of sexual abuse survivors. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 17(4), 321–327. doi:10.1080/1468199021000017173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, W. R., Williams, A. M., & Bernstein, M. H. (1982). The effects of rape on marital and sexual adjustment. The American Journal of Family Therapy, 10(1), 51–58.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Hanlon, W. H. (1999). Do one thing different: And other uncommonly sensible solutions to life’s persistent problems. New York: William Morrow and Company, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • O’Hanlon, W. H., & Weiner-Davis, M. (1989). In search of solutions. New York: W. W. Norton & Company, Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reid, K. S., Wampler, R. S., & Taylor, S. K. (1996). The “alienated” partner: Responses to traditional therapies for adult sex abuse survivors. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 22(4), 443–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Resick, P. A., Williams, L. F., Suvak, M. K., Monson, C. M., & Gradus, J. L. (2011). Long-term outcomes of cognitive–behavioral treatments for posttraumatic stress disorder among female rape survivors. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology,. doi:10.1037/a0026602.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rothbaum, B. O., Foa, E. B., Riggs, D. S., Murdock, T., & Walsh, W. (1992). A prospective examination of post-traumatic stress disorder in rape victims. Journal of Traumatic Stress, 5, 455–475.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, J. E., & Harvey, S. T. (2009). Effects of psychotherapy with people who have been sexually assaulted: A meta-analysis. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 14(5), 273–285. doi:10.1016/j.avb.2009.03.006.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tedeshi, R. G., & Calhoun, L. G. (2004). Posttraumatic growth: Conceptual foundation and empirical evidence. Philadelphia, PA: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tyra, P. A. (1993). Older women: Victims of rape. Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 19(5), 7–12.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • van Berlo, W., & Ensink, B. (2000). Problems with sexuality after sexual assault. Annual Review of Sex Research, 11, 235–257.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Vickerman, K. A., & Margolin, G. (2009). Rape treatment outcome research: Empirical findings and state of the literature. Clinical Psychology Review, 29(5), 431–448.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, W. G., Kilcrease-Fleming, D., Fowler, W. E., & Kazelskis, R. (1993). Brief-term counseling with sexually abused girls: The impact of sex of counselor on clients’ therapeutic involvement, self-concept, and depression. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 40(4), 490–500.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA

    Rachel B. Tambling

Authors
  1. Rachel B. Tambling
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rachel B. Tambling.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Tambling, R.B. Solution-Oriented Therapy for Survivors of Sexual Assault and Their Partners. Contemp Fam Ther 34, 391–401 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-012-9200-z

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10591-012-9200-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation