Abstract
This article addresses the use of animal assisted therapy in individual counseling for sexually abused children. It focuses on how the animal can help the sexually abused child disclose abuse and express feelings. Storytelling forms a part of the treatment process. The author's clinical experience at Project Against Sexual Abuse of Appalachian Children in Knoxville, Tennessee, forms the basis for the article.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Bettelheim, B. (1977). The uses of enchantment. New York: Vantage.
Bruch, A. (1988). Ein Hund und ein Kater in der Kinderpsychiotherapie: Ein Berich aus der Praxis. Arbeitschrift fuer Individual Psychologie, 13,(4), 264–273.
Davis N. et al. (1990). Once Upon a Time... Therapeutic Stories to Heal Abused Children, Revised Edition, Oxon Hill, Psychological Associates of Oxon Hill.
George, M. (1988). Child Therapy and Animals: A New Way for an Old Relationship, in: Innovative Interventions Child and Adolescent Therapy, Schafer C. (Editor) (pp. 400–419). New York, John Wiley & Sons.
Gil, E. (1991). The Healing Power of Play: Working with Abused Children, New York, Guilford Press.
Gonski, Y. (1985). The utilization of canines in a child welfare setting. Child and Adolescent Social Work, 2(2), 93–105.
Horowitz, M. & Kaltreider N. (1980). Brief Treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders. New Directions for Mental Health Services, 6, 67–79.
James, B. (1989). Treating Traumatized Children: New Insights and Creative Interventions. Lexington: D.C. Health and Company.
Levinson, B. (1969). Pet-oriented Child Psychotherapy. Illinois: Charles C. Thomas.
Levinson, B. (1972). Pets and Human Development. Illinois: Charles C. Thomas.
Mandell, J. & Damon, L. (1989). Group Treatment for Sexually Abused Children. New York: Guilford Press.
Marvasti, J. A. (1989). Play Therapy with Sexual Abused Children. In Sgroi, S. (Ed.) Sexual Abuse Treatment for Children, Adult Survivors, Offenders, and Persons with Mental Retardation: Vulnerable Populations, 2, (pp. 1–41) Lexington: D.C. Health and Company.
McCulloch, M. (1983). Animal facilitate therapy: Overview and future direction. In A. Katcher & A. Beck (Eds.), New Perspectives On Our Lives with Companion Animals (410–26). Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
McDonald, A. (1979). Children and companion animals. Child Care, Health, and Development, 5, 347–358.
Mills, J. C. & Crowley, R. J. (1986). Therapeutic metaphors for children and the child within. New York: Brunner/Mazel.
Peacock, C. (1984). The Role of the Therapist's Pet In Initial Psychotherapy Sessions with Adolescents: An Exploratory Study. Dissertation, Boston College, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
Piaget, J. (1929). The Child's Conception of the World, New York: Harcourt, Brace.
Reichert, E. (1994). Play and animal-assisted therapy: A group-treatment model for sexually abused girls ages 9–13. Family Therapy, The Journal of the California Graduate School of Family Psychology, (21), 1, 55–62.
Schowalter, J. (1983). Clinical Experience: The Use and Abuse of Pets, Journal of the American Academy of Child Psychiatry, 22,1, pp. 68–72.
Solomon, A. (1981). Animals and Children: The Role of the Pet. Canada Mental Health, pp. 9–13.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Reichert, E. Individual Counseling for Sexually Abused Children: A Role for Animals and Storytelling . Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal 15, 177–185 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022284418096
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1022284418096