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It’s important as a professional to realize the magnitude of individuals affected by childhood sexual abuse (CSA). Knowing this you can be sure that if working in a clinical setting, you will incur adult clients who have been sexually abused as children, some who deny or minimize it and those who don’t remember the abuse at all. That is why it is important that you learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of CSA (see Recognize the Symptoms link). It is also strongly recommended that direct questions about CSA are asked as part of the intake process.

Depending on the severity of the abuse (memory loss suggesting severity) and the age of the child at the time of the abuse, as a clinician you will want to be sure that you can best serve a client who has been abused. It is most often a long, arduous journey of healing for both the client and the clinician. There is a strong degree of commitment needed and sensitivity in developing a trusting relationship with a client who has been sexually abused as a child. A clinician should be sure that she/he is comfortable and adept at handling and holding a safe space that will allow intense and deep emotions for that is often what is necessary for healing. A clinician will want to be committed to caring for themselves in a way that she/he doesn’t burn out from this work and may want to consider using a mentor.