Available for loan from the University's Akoranga Theses Collection.

Dissertation (MHSc) - Auckland University of Technology, 2004. This dissertation is a systematic literature review, illustrated with clinical vignettes, that investigates how to think about and work effectively with adult clients with a history of early, severe and continuous childhood abuse and neglect, using the lens of the trauma literature. The first section examines how symptoms develop when children are exposed to abuse and neglect. This includes how maltreatment affects the psychological development of children and their later adult functioning. The second section investigates the basic principles of treatment for the adult survivor of maltreatment, and argues for a stage-orientated approach to treatment with an initial focus on symptom control, self-care, and relationship issues. The third section reviews the therapeutic relationship. The transference/countertransference dynamics at the centre of this work are examined. The dissertation ends with a summary of symptom development, implications for treatment and transference/countertransference issues in the treatment of severe trauma. Recommendations for psychotherapy practice and future research are examined.--AUTHOR'S ABSTRACT

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