This report was originally available on the Raranga Whatumanawa website which is no longer available. A hard copy of this report was in the collection transferred from MSD in March 2011.

This is one of a series of reports produced by Raranga Whatumanawa (The weaving of the heart patterns), a research project undertaken by the Psychology Clinic at Massey University, in conjunction with the Psychology Centre in Hamilton, to investigate the mental health assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes resulting from sexual abuse. The research was funded by the Accident Compensation Corporation of New Zealand (ACC) and contributes to the development of useable national practice guidelines. This report presents the findings of a study aimed at discovering the views of sexual abuse counsellors relating to the therapy they provide. The report is divided into two parts. The first is a summary of key issues from practitioner focus groups and key informant interviews, which is designed to act as a guide to the larger second section which provides detailed groupings of data under key headings along with illustrative extracts from the qualitative interview data. Treatment issues are covered from therapists' worldviews, including preparation, conduct and barriers to practice, to cultural aspects of non-Maori, Maori and Pasifika therapists treating culturally similar or dissimilar clients. Specific treatment issues involving clients with intellectual disability, mental health issues, the elderly, sexual dysfunction and gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender issues are discussed. Concerns and points of difference for male clients, approaches to therapy for children, adolescents and families, and competencies required for treatment of sexually abused children and adolescents are also covered. Please do not cite or quote this report without permission.

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Technical report: 7