This specialization course takes an in-depth look at treatment for sexual trauma and abuse. Students will be exposed to current thinking in treatment for those with a history of sexual trauma and abuse. Special emphasis will also be placed on addressing spouses and other relational impact of sexual trauma and abuse.

This course is taught by:

Diane Langberg, Ph.D.
Dr. Langberg is a practicing psychologist whose clinical expertise includes 35 years of working with trauma survivors and clergy. She is director of Diane Langberg, Ph.D. & Associates, a group practice in suburban Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, staffed by Christian psychologists, social workers and counselors. She is a faculty member of Westminster Theological Seminary and author of several books including Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse.

Course Prerequisites:
Students wishing to take this cours must have already taken the following:

• ISW introductory course

Sample Reading List
(NOTE: This is a sample list and is subject to change for each class. Students registered for this course must check the current syllabus for an accurate list of required reading.)

1. Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse by Diane Langberg
2. On the Threshold of Hope by Diane Langberg
3. Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman
4. Predators by Anna Salter

Sample Course Outline

1. Understanding the nature of sexual abuse
   1. Statistics and definition
   2. Family dynamics
   3. Characteristics of children
   4. Indicators in children and adults
   5. Severity of effects
2. Understanding the nature of rape
1. Statistics and definition
2. Impact
3. Posttraumatic stress disorder
1. Video – Bastard out of Carolina
2. PTSD
3. Complex trauma and disorders of extreme stress
4. Neurobiology of trauma
5. Traumatic memory
6. Dissociation
7. Strategies for working with traumatic memory
4. Treatment
   1. Phase one – Safety and Stabilization
   2. Phase two – Processing memories
   3. Phase three – Connecting
5. Special issues in treatment
   1. Self-injury
   2. Dissociative identity disorder
   3. Sexual intimacy
   4. Spiritual impact of trauma
   5. Grieving
   6. Forgiveness
6. Sex offenders
   1. Salter videos
   2. Deception
   3. Grooming
   4. Coercion
   5. Repentance
7. Vicarious traumatization
   1. Symptoms
   2. Prevention
   3. Self-assessment
8. Sex trafficking victims
9. Case presentations and discussion