Women and Therapy
Volume 40, Issue 1-2, 2017, Pages 31-54

Psychotherapy in the Aftermath of Human Trafficking: Working Through the Consequences of Psychological Coercion (Article)

Contreras P.M.* , Kallivayalil D. , Herman J.L.
  • a Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, United States, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, United States, Counseling Department, William James College, Newton, MA, United States
  • b Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, United States, Cambridge Health Alliance, Cambridge, MA, United States
  • c Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA, United States

Abstract

Shame and mistrust are factors that complicate a trafficking survivor’s readiness to benefit from services offered by multidisciplinary providers. Shame is understood as one of the consequences of the trafficker’s coercion. Experiences of coercion and resulting shame later complicate trust building with psychotherapists. Through case studies of psychotherapy work in a public hospital, the authors describe how trust and shame issues are worked through. The psychotherapist facilitates the survivor’s work towards restoring a sense of humanity and dignity. © 2017, Copyright © Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Author Keywords

sex trafficking Human trafficking Slavery psychological coercion Shame Psychotherapy Exploitation Trust trauma

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84989352563&doi=10.1080%2f02703149.2016.1205908&partnerID=40&md5=53aa1c603e6fafacfa61db9242afab91
DOI: 10.1080/02703149.2016.1205908
ISSN: 02703149
Cited by: 5
Original Language: English