Integrating affect in treatment with adult survivors of physical and sexual abuse

Abstract

A theoretical and technical model for affectively-centered treatment of adults abused as children is presented, with particular attention to the function of denial and dissociation as central defense mechanisms. The concept is introduced of working at an "affective edge," at which a client can maintain both cognitive understanding and emotional and bodily awareness without triggering denial and dissociation. Special considerations and precautions are discussed.