The Relational Trauma of Incest

Marcia Sheinberg, LCSW, is Director of Training and Clinical Services at the Ackerman Institute for the Family. She is a cofounder of its Gender and Violence Project and the founder and Director of the Incest Project. An advisory editor for Family Process and a member of the editorial board of the Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, she has published widely in professional journals. She maintains an active private practice in which she treats and consults with individuals, couples, and families on a variety of clinical issues. Peter Fraenkel, PhD, is Associate Professor of Psychology in the Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology at the City College of the City University of New York. At the Ackerman Institute for the Family, he is a member of the Teaching Faculty, Director of Research and Clinical Member in the Incest Project, and Director of the Center for Time, Work, and the Family. In addition, Dr. Fraenkel is Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at New York University Medical School and Director of the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program at the NYU Child Study Center. An Ad Hoc Editor for Family Process and Advisory Editor for the Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, Dr. Fraenkel has published and lectured extensively. He also maintains a private practice.

Presents an innovative approach to the confusions and dilemmas experienced by families in which incest has occurred. While not all incestuously abused children have the classic diagnostic symptoms of trauma, virtually all experience "relational trauma". Integrating social constructionist, feminist, and systems thinking, this treatment model focuses on strengthening the child's protective relationships, mobilizing families to help resolve the child's emotional and behavioral symptoms, and building resiliency.

I. Basics of the Relational Approach1. The Relational Approach2. The Relational Approach in Action3. Core PerspectivesII. Implementing the Relational Approach4. Incest as a Complex Story5. Creating a Collaborative Therapy6. Strengthening Safe Family Relationships7. Relational Treatment of Family Members Who Abuse8. Three CasesAppendix A: Research Support for the Relational ApproachAppendix B: Information on Child Sexual Abuse