Treatment of sexually abused children utilizing a ten session play therapy model

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 62-65)Play therapy is one of the first forms of child psychotherapy developed. This specific type of therapy can be used for treating sexually abused children so that they can distance themselves from the traumatic event using symbolic materials and behaviors. By using children's natural language of play, sexually abused children are able to explore and resolve feelings related to the abuse in a safe environment. The project outlines ten play therapy sessions to provide professionals, who are working with sexually abused children, with goals and interventions. Symptoms of sexually abused children depend on the child's personality, age of abuse, longevity of abuse, relation to perpetrator, type of abuse, family reaction, family response and emotional support. The current research about child sexual abuse reports that these factors determine the child's initial and long term effects of the abuse. As a result, many children are diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder or some other mental disorder. Play therapy can help children master the traumatic event and prevent poor psychosocial development due to the abuse