What Factors Would a Therapist Take Into Account When Planning Treatment for a Psychologically Abused Client?”

Psychotherapists have offered a variety of ways to plan treatment for a psychologically abused client, in this essay I will examine the factors that I would take into account in treating such a client. In doing this I will first have to examine the term psychological abuse and they ways it prevails in society it is then with this understanding that I can look into my therapeutic tool box to plan the treatment for such a client.   A variety of theoretical models have been put forward for a therapist to choose to work with from cognitive behavioural therapy, rational emotive behavioural therapy, person centred and psychodynamic. I will explore what each one offers to the therapists tool box. There are also practical considerations for the therapist to consider in the initial consultation that may well have contraindications and ethical dilemmas for the therapeutic process. Dealing with psychological abuse may even bring into question the therapists own competence as well as dealing with the abused clients own resistance to the therapeutic process. It is a multi-faceted complex process when planning the treatment for a psychological abused client.
Firstly though we need to conceptualise what we mean by psychological abuse. Esther Giller defines psychological trauma as “a traumatic event or situation creates psychological trauma when it overwhelms the individual's ability to cope, and leaves that person fearing death, annihilation, mutilation, or psychosis. The individual may feel emotionally, cognitively, and physically overwhelmed. The circumstances of the event commonly include abuse of power, betrayal of trust, entrapment, helplessness, pain, confusion, and/or loss.”   I find her definition is all encompassing but also it bears in mind the relativity of someone suffering psychological abuse and how they deal with it. Someone suffering from being slapped may be feeling the same level of trauma as an adult is feeling about their child abuse. It is all a big...