Counselling For Sexual Abuse And Childhood Abuse Survivors

[Queen Boudica]

I'd be interested in opinions about this article which refers to the need for an increase in the medicare counselling sessions for the huge number of sexual abuse and childhood abuse victims in this country.

In this article the APS refer to treatment as being equivalent to a course of antibiotics. I find this really a negative contribution to the argument. That these survivors are stating they need long term help yet the APS is referring to short term antibiotic treatment. I don't think this helps with the attitude towards treatment

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-...logical-care-access-for-abuse-victims/6385212

 

[Deleted member 12723]

I am on the side of long term therapy.

Ten sessions with a therapist accomplish nothing but stir up things for the client in my opinion.

I believe that sexual abuse is a branding experience that effects a person the rest of their life without help long term.

 

[greenleaf]

@Lizio -- I read the article; it sounds like folks at the agency are using the antibiotic analogy to argue for a longer course of treatment. They say, if you don't take all the antibiotics in a course of treatment, it won't work -- so you should not stop before you get the treatment needed by the condition.

 

[Queen Boudica]

The longer course of treatment being suggested by the alliance for better access, that will provide meaningful help for 85% of mental health sufferers is 20 sessions. This is argued as being an economical viable argument necessary to convince politicians and justify treatment on research that shows that 85% of mental health patients show a meaningful improvement in 20 sessions of treatment.

I don't think that pushing complex trauma survivors in that 85% is acceptable. The argument is that then they will push for increases in sessions for those with complex conditions.

I think there is a danger of people believing that research showing that 20 sessions gives a meaningful improvement in lives is that those with complex conditions will be expected to fit into that box. The term meaningful is a non-descript term.

 

[scout86]

This kind of reminds me of something my T said when I first started seeing him (2 years ago). He said that most people who see he seem to come 3 times or 30. He wasn't sure why, but that's how it works out. He sees a pretty diverse group of people. As we were nearing the 1 year mark, when it was somewhere past 30 sessions, I asked him if he was going to fire me as a client. He was both surprised and amused. Said I was probably the client least likely to get fired, at that point. I asked about the 3 sessions or 30. He said "I said MOST people, You aren't 'most' people." One of those good news/ bad news deals. LOL I know he's got at least one combat vet client he's seen for years and several who now check in once or twice a year.

To put a number on something like this just makes no sense. But I think the decisions are being made by a bunch of people who don't understand the problem.

 

[Queen Boudica]

what annoys me is that the people campaigning for these session numbers are the ones who should know better because they work in the field. They feel that they can only ask for the minimum and use arguments that research is strong and shows that 85% get meaningful recovery to set a figure. problems is these arguments will get used to set a number of sessions for everyone instead of what people actually need to be contributing to society and be economically viable.

 

[Queen Boudica]

Sounds like you have a good T @scout86

 

[Queen Boudica]

Ok since they are asking I guess I should pass on this question to people who do have complex mental health issues?

"Any ideas on what specific procedures we might use to make that assessment for more than 20 visits of of psychological care? The clearer and simpler we can make this, the better. It also has to be fair and consistent across cases"

So I guess that means they are using the research to say that 20 sessions is enough for 85% and then some sort of assessment for others and what is fair? Any opinions on that?

 

[shimmerz]

Any ideas on what specific procedures we might use to make that assessment for more than 20 visits of of psychological care?

Identify Developmental Trauma. It is like a cancer and requires, imho, a complete rebuild. Definitely more than 20 sessions.

 

[Lucycat]

I don't like numbers and find them unhelpful to this discussion. I have been in therapy for 5 years. However I have no idea how many sessions that equates to. Sometimes I have seen T weekly but then can go months before the next time.

As for the antibiotic analogy - well some people are on antibiotics for life - such as those with certain renal or cardiac problems. A course for one person is not the same as the next person. Likewise therapy is different for us all.

I am just glad that I have been reassured that I will remain in therapy for as long as I need it. My decision, no one else.

 

[Suzetig]

I agree with @shimmerz there something about the nature of developmental trauma that needs a complete rebuild - my therapist will work with me for as long as I want at any frequency of meeting I choose an dim fortunate enough to be able to pay privately so don't need to deal with the NHS.

I do think shorter term therapy has its place, I did 12 sessions of CBT based therapy which helped me function for a long time however, it's only been since working with my current therapist longer term that I've been able to really address the root of my issues which rest in childhood trauma.

 

[scout86]

research is strong and shows that 85% get meaningful recovery t

85% of what, though? 85% of the people who walk through the door or 85% of people with PTSD, or 85% of people with trauma arising from long term circumstances? (Because I think a lot of combat stuff, or POW stuff is more like childhood stuff than it is like being in a single traumatic event.)

For example, my T sees a diverse group of people. I'm sure he was right with his 3 or 30 visits thing. There is a lot of couples therapy that resolves fairly quickly. Kids who need diagnosis with learning problems, people contemplating career changes. A lot of this stuff is fairly discrete and can be dealt with relatively quickly.

"Any ideas on what specific procedures we might use to make that assessment for more than 20 visits of of psychological care?

How about "Ask the therapist"? I suppose they're afraid that therapists just want clients hanging on forever, whether they need the help or not?