Download Author: Holman, Beverly

15 eBooks available.

Family Influences

Understanding family influences can benefit survivors. They can learn how each member of their family contributed to or was affected by the incest. Survivors learn that psychological problems suffered by older family members may have set the stage for incest to occur and to remain hidden. Self-blame is alleviated when survivors realize that what happened to them would have happened to any child of their sex entering the family when they did. This understanding helps free survivors from feelings of guilt and responsibility and thereby allows them to strengthen their identity apart from their family of origin. (35 pp.)

How Survivors Coped During Molestation

This chapter will discuss some coping methods survivors have used during molestation. It will also describe the role these methods later played in hampering sexual satisfaction. Problems can arise when survivors continue to employ old coping methods in adult sexual relations where there is no longer any threat to their well-being. Since coping methods were developed during traumatic situations, they tend to be deeply ingrained and hard to let go of. (19 pp.)

Effects of Incest on Self-Concept

The immediate effects of the trauma of incest are often fear and immobilization. The impact is even more significant because the incest often lasts a long time and may not be addressed for years. It can lead to chronic depression, guilt, a sense of powerlessness, and poor self-esteem. These feelings may be manifested in many self-destructive activities, such as alcohol and drug abuse, suicide attempts, and sexual relationships in which the survivor continues to be victimized.(21 pp.)

Messages about Sexuality and Sex Roles

Incest profoundly influences what survivors learn about sex and what they come to believe is expected sex role behavior. While no one can erase the past, it is possible with knowledge to break away from the crippling beliefs of the past and to learn to appreciate healthy sexuality.(22 pp.)

Incest and Sexuality

This book has been written for survivors of incest who want to explore both how the sexual abuse may have affected their sexuality and what they can do about it. Intimate partners of survivors and therapists who have clients who are survivors may also find this book useful in developing a supportive and understanding approach to sexual concerns. Special sections have been written with partners and therapists in mind. (235 pp.)

Wendy Maltz LCSW, DST, is an internationally recognized sex therapist, author, and speaker, with more than thirty-five years of experience treating sex and intimacy concerns. Her popular educational website, www.HealthySex.com, provides free articles, podcast interviews, posters, couples sexual healing videos, and more to help people recover from sexual abuse, overcome sexual problems, and develop skills for love-based sexual intimacy.

Reviews

“Incest and Sexuality helps us honor skills we developed to endure abuse so that we can transcend the fear of experiencing our sexual selves. It is gentle in guiding us through the vulnerable terrain of feeling the warmth and intensity of sexual energy, free from abuse. This book validates our experiences, addresses our concerns, and respects our process of recovery. It is a valuable tool which enhances our strengths as we struggle to heal ourselves and improve our relationships.”

-Valeri Heller, National President
VOICES in Action

“This book is a splendid resource for both lay persons and professionals, it provides practical self-help information for adult survivors of child sexual abuse and valuable insights for their clinicians. It is an excellent addition to the sparse literature in this field.”

-Suzanne Sgroi MD
author Vulnerable Populations

“This book provides survivors of child sexual abuse with concrete help regarding their feelings, thoughts, and behaviors about their own sexuality. Survivors are encouraged to view their abuse and their reactions as adaptive, rather than maladaptive.
The book is clear, well-organized, and well-written. It fills the gap for in-depth information about the impact of childhood sexual trauma on the adult survivor’s sexuality. It will serve as a valuable resource to both clinician and survivor.”

-Dr. Eliana Gil
author, Outgrowing the Pain