Abused Women and Survivor Therapy

Book excerpt: In this book, Walker posits that the use of traditional psychotherapies for trauma victims has not produced the type of treatment that abused women have found to be truly helpful and that modifications in traditional practice are necessary in order for clinicians to work effectively with abuse victims. These modifications must take into account the impact of the specific form of trauma involved as well as the individual's unique psychological response to the world and the impact of traditional socialization of women and men. The author claims that abuse is widespread and that violence against women occurs in all demographic groups. Her approach is strongly informed by a feminist, participatory perspective that emphasizes reempowerment and the client's role in helping to determine the course of therapy. She examines the effects of gender, race, ethnicity, culture, and sexual orientation as part of the larger context surrounding the reality of violence against women in society.