Citation

Gold SN. J. Trauma Dissociation 2008; 9(2): 269-292.

Affiliation

Trauma Resolution&Integration Program, Center for Psychological Studies, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314, USA. gold@nova.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

19042778

Abstract

The conceptual framework and treatment rationale of contextual therapy are described. Contextual therapy was specifically fashioned for survivors of prolonged child abuse (PCA). It is grounded in the observation that contexts beyond abuse trauma, especially restrictions in psychological development stemming from growing up in an ineffective family environment, appreciably impact the adjustment of many PCA survivors. Contextual therapy proposes that remediation of developmental gaps commonly manifested by PCA survivors is essential to equip them to (a) benefit from rather than be debilitated by trauma processing and (b) move beyond symptom reduction to the attainment of adequate social and occupational functioning.

Language: en