Anger as a vehicle in the treatment of women who are sexual abuse survivors: Reattributing responsibility and accessing personal power.

Abstract

Some clinicians view client anger as a problematic symptom to be reduced, whereas others view it as an opportunity for therapeutic development. The present authors describe how client anger, a fitting emotional response to abuse, can work as a vehicle to help sexual abuse survivors reattribute responsibility and develop personal efficacy. The role of anger in the healing process of the sexual abuse survivor is explored through 2 case studies. It is suggested that by reframing anger as a vehicle for recovery rather than a symptom, therapists can learn to effectively incorporate anger work (which involves successfully negotiating any dynamics that cause therapist discomfort) into the treatment of survivors.