Citation

Noack A, Baraitser L. Br. J. Psychother. 2004; 20(3): 345-359.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2004, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1752-0118.2004.tb00148.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper presents some thoughts about working clinically with mothers who have been sexually abused in childhood. We review the research literature that indicates that survivor mothers face interpersonal difficulties relating to their children, and, in the light of this research, suggest that survivor mothers may benefit from a therapeutic service that is specifically designed to meet their needs. We draw on recent explorations of transgenerational processes in the transmission of trauma to present an understanding of the psychodynamics involved in the difficulties survivors have with mothering. This understanding informs the design and implementation of groups for survivor mothers at the Maya Centre, a psychodynamic counselling centre for women living in poverty in the London Borough of Islington. Clinical examples taken from three short-term therapeutic groups are presented and discussed.